Detroit Police Chief To Meet With Biden About City's Crime Reductions

DETROIT — Detroit Police Chief James White will meet with President Joe Biden on Wednesday in Washington D.C. to discuss Detroit's historic crime reductions in 2023, according to the Detroit Police Department.

White said he plans to highlight how his 12-point plan, collaboration with law enforcement and government partners, American Rescue Plan Act funding and the addition of 200 officers helped reduce crime in the city throughout 2023.

There were 18 percent fewer homicides, 16 percent fewer non-fatal shootings and 34 percent fewer carjackings in 2023. There were 261 Detroit homicides in 2023, the city's fewest number since 1966, according to the Detroit Police Department.

In addition, White said he plans to share strategy plans for 2024, including how Detroit officers will address priorities like mental health and juvenile crime, adding roughly 100 more officers to the streets and community policing initiatives, such as bringing back neighborhood foot beats and the Chief’s Walk A Mile Wednesday events, according to the Detroit Police Department.

"I look forward to meeting with President Biden to discuss Detroit’s successful crime reduction strategies that resulted in the lowest number of homicides since 1966 and double-digit decreases in other major crimes," White said. "I plan to highlight how the hard work of the men and women of the Detroit Police Department, collaboration with our partners, and the support of our community made this progress possible. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are confident in our strategy. With the continued support of President Biden and our other government partners, we can further reduce violent crime in our city."