Penske, corporations to help Detroit get public safety vehicles?
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By Alexis Wiley, Fox 2 News -
Roger Penske (Credit: Fox 2 News)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
Detroit is full of stories and families who say they have lost loved ones because the nearest ambulance broke down or just was not available. There are even more stories of Detroiters who called 9-1-1 and a police car never showed up.
Now multiple sources have said some of the area's corporate leaders are stepping up to help. Racing mogul Roger Penske has offered to structure a lease program that will put 23 ambulances and 100 police cars on Detroit's streets, and private corporate contributors will help make the monthly payments.
It is part of Mayor Dave Bing's "Active and Safe Detroit" program, which the mayor mentioned during his State of the City address.
"Our goal is to raise $60 million to keep our 17 recreation centers open and to provide the latest equipment and training for police and firefighters," Bing said on February 13. "Last week I met with the top CEOs of metropolitan Detroit businesses to ask for their assistance in raising the additional $45 million to reach our goal."
Sources told us the mayor and Fire Commissioner Don Austin want to see $15 million rolled into the deal over three years. That money will pay for new fire trucks and critical repairs.
Penske released a statement in which he said, "We have had early discussions. Nothing has been finalized. We will provide updates as available."
Detroiters are just hoping the talk becomes a done deal very soon.
We did reach out to Mayor Bing's office for comment. We were told the mayor will comment on this at a later time.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:25:13 GMT
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:13:21 GMT
A car crashed into a building on 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village on Wednesday morning. At least eight people were injured, three in serious condition, according to FDNY officials.
A car jumped the curb on 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village on Wednesday morning injuring eight people. Witnesses say the Nissan was traveling at a high speed before it took out the store front, trees, bicycles, a light post and a fire hydrant.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:30 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:30:41 GMT
Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling all Innova, California Natural, EVO, Healthwise, Mother Nature and Karma branded dry pet food and biscuit, bar, and treat products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014, because of a positive Salmonella test.
Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling all Innova, California Natural, EVO, Healthwise, Mother Nature and Karma branded dry pet food and biscuit, bar, and treat products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014, because of a positive Salmonella test.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:07:13 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush. Crews have been working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:12 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:12:52 GMT
A senior administration official says Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have struck a deal to authorize four upstate casinos and to allow votes on 10 separate women's rights bills including an abortion...
A senior administration official says Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have struck a deal to authorize four upstate casinos and to allow votes on 10 separate women's rights bills including an abortion proposal...
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:07:22 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:22:54 GMT
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:22:49 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.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
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.
Roger Penske (Credit: Fox 2 News)
