March 23, 2023
Let’s Create a Safer Downtown Detroit Together
Prioritizing safety in the Downtown calls for intentional and collaborative efforts. Organizations like the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) and Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) carry out these strategies to ensure the ongoing security of the Downtown community. Our goal is to continue implementing a comprehensive safety strategy that builds upon the strong professional relationships between the public and private safety partners.
I’ve been working as a safety and security professional for decades. After working as DDP’s contracted safety advisor for years, I joined the DDP team full-time last year to help fulfill its safety goals. I’m excited about the progress we are making. In his most recent CEO Blog, Eric Larson wrote about Project Lighthouse, and I’ll talk more about its future in this newsletter.
One safety initiative I’m leading with my good friend Rick Fenton, chief security officer at Olympia, is Project Lighthouse, which is nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This effort is an innovative safety program that connects Downtown patrons to a network of safety partners ready and able to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The 18 Project Lighthouse locations throughout the Downtown are identified using banners and window clings with the Project Lighthouse logo and can also be found on the digital information kiosks throughout the city.
Right now, we are working to add new businesses as participating Project Lighthouse partners. As a Lighthouse location, your business acts as a safety ambassador by providing shelter from inclement weather, a safe meeting place for friends and family, a place to request police assistance, get directions, use the restroom or request help for your vehicle. In short, Project Lighthouse aims to create a safe, connected and protected community for the entire Downtown Detroit neighborhood.
As a participating Lighthouse location, safety experts will provide the proper training to you and your employees and introduce you to the Neighborhood Police Officers who will be additional points of contact for ongoing support.
To learn more about the program, how it operates and how to best utilize its features, please watch the first video in our Safety Video Series about Project Lighthouse and let me know if you would like to get involved.
The Downtown Detroit Partnership is committed to creating a Downtown that is safe and welcoming for all. Will you join us?
See you Downtown,
Mike Bruggeman, DDP Chief Safety and Security Officer
Read the full newsletter at the following link: https://mailchi.mp/downtowndetroit/march2023safety
Join our mailing list at the following link: https://downtowndetroit.org/contact-connect/newsletter-signup/
