Tuesday, February 12 2013 7:49 AM EST2013-02-12 12:49:50 GMT
Violent crime is up in Detroit, but arrests are significantly down. It's a bad time for low morale to affect how police do their jobs, but one officer says that's exactly what's happening.
Violent crime is up in Detroit, but arrests are significantly down. It's a bad time for low morale to affect how police do their jobs, but one officer says that's exactly what's happening.
DETROIT (WJBK) -
A Detroit police officer says plumbing problems at a city precinct forced he and his colleagues to step over feces, toilet paper and urine for weeks as officials tried to deal with the mess.
The veteran officer says the backup at the city's 12th Precinct along 7 Mile Road made working conditions unbearable.
"Everybody needs to know," said the officer, who sat down with FOX 2 but wished to remain anonymous. "Everyone needs to know how we're being treated."
According to the officer, the sewage smells began to take over the men's locker room three weeks ago. "We complained about it," said the officer. "Everyone who came out made noise about it." But he says all that noise-making never made a bit of difference. "We just dealt with it like we've been dealing with everything else."
The officer says his colleagues were forced to step over feces, toilet paper and urine coming up from the floor drain in order to get their lockers. (See the photo gallery above for more pics sent in to FOX 2)
The officer says a shoddy cleanup job was executed, and yellow caution sign with a "bio hazard" paper taped to it was placed in the locker room. Officers were told to avoid the area and use the facilities in the front of the precinct.
The officer says since then, the building's plumbing problems have only gotten worse. He says a sewer backup in the prisoner area forced officers to move the inmates to different quarters. "They got them out of harm's way immediately. They basically told us we had to deal with what's coming up through the floor."
Detroit police spokeswoman Sgt. Eren Stephens did send FOX 2 photos Monday night of the cleaned up locker room. She did admit, however, that it took several days to clean up and disinfect the area.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Friday, June 14 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-06-15 03:32:46 GMT
Kevyn Orr's numbers show increased wait times in some DPD precincts, but Detroit's emergency manager is talking about pumping money into public safety and not continuing the path of stripping them down to the bone.
Kevyn Orr's numbers show increased wait times in some DPD precincts, but Detroit's emergency manager is talking about pumping money into public safety and not continuing the path of stripping them down to the bone.
Thursday, June 13 2013 11:43 PM EDT2013-06-14 03:43:47 GMT
Police try to make a traffic stop, but say two men in the vehicle made a run for it. The driver was caught, but his passenger remains on the loose. During a search, police say they recovered a gun and body armor.
Police try to make a traffic stop, but say two men in the vehicle made a run for it. The driver was caught, but his passenger remains on the loose. During a search, police say they recovered a gun and body armor.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:45 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:45:05 GMT
Invision/AP photo
The actor James Gandolfini, best known for his award-winning portrayal of New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano in the HBO series "The Sopranos," has died in Italy. He was 51.
The actor James Gandolfini, best known for his award-winning portrayal of New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano in the HBO series "The Sopranos," has died in Italy. He was 51.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:51:22 GMT
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo.
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo. He is accused of driving without a license, then fleeing police, jumping a curb, and hitting Ariel and her grandmother as they were walking to school.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:15 GMT
More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:30 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:30:42 GMT
The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:13:39 GMT
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:38:42 GMT
By MATT ALVAREZ NEW JERSEY (MYFOXNY) -- Nearly eight months later after Superstorm Sandy, many Jersey Shore families are still displaced from their homes. The storm destroyed Pam Vasquez's family home
By MATT ALVAREZ NEW JERSEY (MYFOXNY) -- Nearly eight months later after Superstorm Sandy, many Jersey Shore families are still displaced from their homes. The storm destroyed Pam Vasquez's family home
Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 17:46:33 GMT
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:00 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:00:10 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:41:47 GMT
FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
For at least the third time in a decade, FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:32 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:32:27 GMT
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:24 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:24:16 GMT
Kolcraft is recalling more than 96,000 Jeep Liberty strollers after at least 18 people were injured by tire blowouts, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.
Kolcraft is recalling more than 96,000 Jeep Liberty strollers after at least 18 people were injured by tire blowouts, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:40:48 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
A photo taken in the 12th Precinct's locker room.
