GROSSE POINTE PARK, Mich. (WJBK) -
Crime in our communities was the topic of conversation Monday night in Grosse Pointe Park. Wayne County's top cop led the discussion. The goal is to come up with an effective plan to prevent gun violence.
"I had an officer when I was police chief that got killed by gunfire, and the officer who survived it talked about how this assault weapon when they were firing it at their car, how the weapon was so powerful that it was shaking the car."
Sheriff Benny Napoleon shared that story before a room full of people who most likely can't vote for him in Detroit's mayoral election, but are concerned with one very important problem -- gun violence.
"We all accept violence. Nobody's standing up and saying what do we have to do," said Suzanne Ross.
She and her daughter admit violence isn't part of their daily reality. They live in Grosse Pointe, a community that is rarely touched by violence, but every single person at Monday night's meeting said violence couldn't hit closer to home.
"I'm concerned as much about violence in Chicago and Detroit as I am in Grosse Pointe," said Cindy Brusilow.
"This is a very hot topic right now," said Napoleon.
That's exactly why a group called Pointes for Peace asked the sheriff to speak and answer questions not just about Detroit, but the gun debate that's raging in Washington. He addressed where he stands of high powered assault rifles and the proposal to allow Michigan teachers and staff to carry guns in schools.
"Police people throughout this country believe that there should be some restrictions, reasonable restrictions on assault weapons," Napoleon said. "If you're talking trained civilians in the schools, I have a little bit of an issue with that."
Of course, he said a few words about Detroit, the city he not only lives in, but wants to serve as mayor.
"We need to have a comprehensive plan and the plan has to include proven and tested methods of reducing crime," said Napoleon.
"I've always felt I'm a Detroiter. I might live in Grosse Pointe, but I'm a Detroiter. We're all Detroiters," Ross said.
"I would like to see common sense gun laws that don't infringe on people's Second Amendment right, but that allow all of us to be safer in our communities," said Brusilow.
Napoleon says he is drafting his own plan on how to curb violence in Detroit and he will be presenting that within the next few weeks.
