Belle Isle: WHEN are the bathrooms going to be fixed?!?!

[sumas]

Now I feel better. The weather is so nice today we did go to Belle Isle with a couple of our dogs. It really is a shame we don't go more often.

[Dan Wesson]

My darlin' and I went around for a lap on Friday night...my first Friday in many years, decades perhaps. I'd been groomed to avoid the mess of the strand just west of the Coast Guard station, too much randomness. Friday and Saturday evenings were the only two times I avoided the island.

The cruising traffic was up, and I was surprised to see many people speeding...the sunset was incredible, it was perfect for a slow-roll. But two state boys had a couple emptying out their trunk, not far from the casino...surely that was a buzz-clamp for the middle-aged black couple, meeting up with white-faced authority. I'm sure whatever they did to get pulled over warranted them emptying their entire fucking trunk. With double-trooper supervision...it looked like they were bullying two folks out for a romantic eve.

Then again, on the way out, another couple of rangers had another car-full of young black kids pulled over, more folks learning that Belle Isle is no longer a welcome place. Again, two vehicles in a great show of overwhelming force...

Neither of these cars were what I'd deem troublemakers, but I'm sure the white-faced authoritarians will have trite comments in their reports as to how necessary it was to totally fuck up their nights.

I've seen a concerted effort through the media to put the lid back on this Pandora's box of kindling. 'Blah-blah, it is good to have the state finally paying attention to this gem.' Right.


This is going to get worse as the weather improves...the state acquiesced on shutting down the island for those 4 days in September, let's hope they keep learning how not to destroy what has largely been a peaceful gathering place. Not sure if there've been any disturbances since 1943, but it seems the white-faced authoritarians want to foment one.

I'm ready for all y'all law-n-order types to drop in and try to dig more from my words than I intend, I'm merely describing what I see. Both my gal and I were troubled by the apparent over-use of force...searching for crap well beyond what should have simply been a initial offense introduction and warning.


This is heavy-handed and will backfire on the State and all of those who think the law is always right. Sometimes the law merely codifies and institutionalizes bully behavior.

Wow, an eight paragraph mixed message!

I too would like to know just what kind of "randomness" you experienced before as opposed to the "randomness" you witnessed as of late.

You know, Gannon, I too was conditioned to avoid the "randomness" on the Strand or Central those summer weekend nights. Maybe it's just someone else's turn to be conditioned by "randomness".

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

My darlin' and I went around for a lap on Friday night...my first Friday in many years, decades perhaps. I'd been groomed to avoid the mess of the strand just west of the Coast Guard station, too much randomness. Friday and Saturday evenings were the only two times I avoided the island.

The cruising traffic was up, and I was surprised to see many people speeding...the sunset was incredible, it was perfect for a slow-roll. But two state boys had a couple emptying out their trunk, not far from the casino...surely that was a buzz-clamp for the middle-aged black couple, meeting up with white-faced authority. I'm sure whatever they did to get pulled over warranted them emptying their entire fucking trunk. With double-trooper supervision...it looked like they were bullying two folks out for a romantic eve.

Then again, on the way out, another couple of rangers had another car-full of young black kids pulled over, more folks learning that Belle Isle is no longer a welcome place. Again, two vehicles in a great show of overwhelming force...

Neither of these cars were what I'd deem troublemakers, but I'm sure the white-faced authoritarians will have trite comments in their reports as to how necessary it was to totally fuck up their nights.

I've seen a concerted effort through the media to put the lid back on this Pandora's box of kindling. 'Blah-blah, it is good to have the state finally paying attention to this gem.' Right.


This is going to get worse as the weather improves...the state acquiesced on shutting down the island for those 4 days in September, let's hope they keep learning how not to destroy what has largely been a peaceful gathering place. Not sure if there've been any disturbances since 1943, but it seems the white-faced authoritarians want to foment one.

I'm ready for all y'all law-n-order types to drop in and try to dig more from my words than I intend, I'm merely describing what I see. Both my gal and I were troubled by the apparent over-use of force...searching for crap well beyond what should have simply been a initial offense introduction and warning.


This is heavy-handed and will backfire on the State and all of those who think the law is always right. Sometimes the law merely codifies and institutionalizes bully behavior.

I'm confused. Since everything was better under City control, why would you have avoided the island on Friday and Saturday evenings for decades? Only to return safely now? Odd, very odd....

[compn]

I'm confused. Since everything was better under City control, why would you have avoided the island on Friday and Saturday evenings for decades? Only to return safely now? Odd, very odd....

the same reason you dont drive around novi on fri/sat night. its full of drunks who like to go driving.

[donpablo]

My darlin' and I went around for a lap on Friday night. But two state boys had a couple emptying out their trunk, not far from the casino...surely that was a buzz-clamp for the middle-aged black couple, meeting up with white-faced authority. I'm sure whatever they did to get pulled over warranted them emptying their entire fucking trunk. With double-trooper supervision...it looked like they were bullying two folks out for a romantic eve.

Then again, on the way out, another couple of rangers had another car-full of young black kids pulled over, more folks learning that Belle Isle is no longer a welcome place. Again, two vehicles in a great show of overwhelming force...

Neither of these cars were what I'd deem troublemakers, but I'm sure the white-faced authoritarians will have trite comments in their reports as to how necessary it was to totally fuck up

This is going to get worse as the weather improves...the state acquiesced on shutting down the island for those 4 days in September, let's hope they keep learning how not to destroy what has largely been a peaceful gathering place. Not sure if there've been any disturbances since 1943, but it seems the white-faced authoritarians want to foment one.


This is heavy-handed and will backfire on the State and all of those who think the law is always right. Sometimes the law merely codifies and institutionalizes bully behavior.

Good post and I agree. Police are gradually getting worse all around the country and starting to infringe on citizens rights. From "stop and frisk" in NYC to pepper spraying peaceful protesters in the face while sitting down. Police are well trained to justify their actions according to law and more and more cops are abusing that knowledge.

[Gannon]

I've got the council on my side.

yeah, that makes me giggle a bit.

[Gannon]

I'm confused. Since everything was better under City control, why would you have avoided the island on Friday and Saturday evenings for decades? Only to return safely now? Odd, very odd....

You're confused all right.

Nobody ever said EVERYTHING was better under city control.

I've gone on about ways to solve the issues on Belle Isle for probably a decade or more here...

...and I'll go on about how to NOT completely fuck things up there now.

Cheers!

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

If the council has their panties in a twist, things must be going in the right direction.

"Jones said Mayor Mike Duggan also has been pulled over at the island since taking office."

Clearly, the mayor was racially profiled.

[dmike76]

I think there is nothing wrong with this. Clearly, Jones wants favoritism for the officials of Detroit. Cops do this everywhere. If you're speeding and they take an interest, they'll run your plate. If they find warrants, then they arrest you. Why does Jones want a double standard for Belle Isle?

[guito13]

http://www.freep.com/article/2014042...cil-Belle-Isle

So let me get this straight, the state is using state resources to try to keep the island safe and ensure the rules are followed. Because of this the council is mad???

I am trying to understand why they are upset here?

[dmike76]

So far, it's only Jones that's complaining. She doesn't like having to follow laws. I'm not surprised there are some growing pains here. People are not used to strict law enforcement in a lot of areas in Detroit. Camp Dearborn was [[maybe still is) like that. Years ago, my 80 year old grandma got pulled over for speeding [[30 in a 25). She didn't gripe; she apologized. I haven't been to Belle Isle since the state leased it, but I'm looking forward to observing the police presence myself to see if the complaining is legit.

[bailey]

http://www.freep.com/article/2014042...cil-Belle-Isle

So let me get this straight, the state is using state resources to try to keep the island safe and ensure the rules are followed. Because of this the council is mad???

I am trying to understand why they are upset here?

“It’s a disgrace,” Jones said at today’s council meeting. “I will be calling the state myself

ooooh....Look out, Brenda Jones is gonna CALL someone! Who? not sure... but the STATE will hear from her.

Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins said Winfrey’s story is an example of larger problems with the state’s management of Belle Isle. She said all city residents should be welcome there.

And they are welcomed, but they'll be ticketed if they speed and arrested if they are found to have outstanding warrants or have committed an offense one would normally expect to be arrested for committing. That is how it works in the first world.

“What’s your definition of riff raff?” Jenkins said. “It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

I'm going with, whoever those 4 other people were. Go look em up Saunteel. Get back to us on the honor students that spent a few hours in the pokey.

“I’m just waiting for somebody to pull me over,” Jones said.

I am too because I am 100% certain the very first words out of your mouth will be "do you know who the fuck I am"...and we can all be done with you.

[jimmyr]

ooooh....Look out, Brenda Jones is gonna CALL someone! Who? not sure... but the STATE will hear from her.

And they are welcomed, but they'll be ticketed if they speed and arrested if they are found to have outstanding warrants or have committed an offense one would normally expect to be arrested for committing. That is how it works in the first world.

I'm going with, whoever those 4 other people were. Go look em up Saunteel. Get back to us on the honor students that spent a few hours in the pokey.

I am too because I am 100% certain the very first words out of your mouth will be "do you know who the fuck I am"...and we can all be done with you.

So embarrassing. And we wonder why nobody believes in Detroit? It's 2014 and clowns like this are in public office.

[DetroitPlanner]

Brenda Jones is probably getting a lot of calls from constituents and is trying to represent them the best she can. Unfortunately, those who have gripes are the only ones calling her. What needs to happen is for her to hear from those who like the additional police presence.

I just read the article... LOL Mayor got busted too.

[dmike76]

That is a good point, DetroitPlanner.

[rjlj]

She is grabbing at low hanging fruit to appeal to the entitled. Typical common council fashion. They are unable to tackle the real issues that need to be solved.

Brenda Jones is probably getting a lot of calls from constituents and is trying to represent them the best she can. Unfortunately, those who have gripes are the only ones calling her. What needs to happen is for her to hear from those who like the additional police presence.

I just read the article... LOL Mayor got busted too.

[jt1]

Brenda Jones is probably getting a lot of calls from constituents and is trying to represent them the best she can. Unfortunately, those who have gripes are the only ones calling her. What needs to happen is for her to hear from those who like the additional police presence.

I just read the article... LOL Mayor got busted too.

Duggan has a history of speeding tickets and has never hidden the fact that he likes to drive a little too fast.

[DetroitPlanner]

She is grabbing at low hanging fruit to appeal to the entitled. Typical common council fashion. They are unable to tackle the real issues that need to be solved.

I hope that with enough folks getting busted with outstanding warrants, suspended liscences, no insurance, open intoxicants, driving around stoned that this will eventually get out and fewer folks will eventually realize they need to clean up their acts. This is the sort of stuff that really drives up the cost of auto insurance for all of us in this State [[not to mention the City that gets hit the worst).

[jimmyr]

Brenda Jones is probably getting a lot of calls from constituents and is trying to represent them the best she can. Unfortunately, those who have gripes are the only ones calling her. What needs to happen is for her to hear from those who like the additional police presence.

I just read the article... LOL Mayor got busted too.

Playing up race relations, just like all of the other race hustling Detroit politicians have for 50 years, to the detriment of the entire region.

[DetroitPlanner]

Playing up race relations, just like all of the other race hustling Detroit politicians have for 50 years, to the detriment of the entire region.

What is your "hustle" if it is not race relations? Why even bring this up?

[Smirnoff]

Glad to hear they will be installing "breathalyzers" & metal detectors at the entry/exit, along with LEAN [[law enforcement agency network) stations to make potential arrests or collect fines [[tickets, warrants, etc.)......

[Vic01]

Glad to hear they will be installing "breathalyzers" & metal detectors at the entry/exit, along with LEAN [[law enforcement agency network) stations to make potential arrests or collect fines [[tickets, warrants, etc.)......

So... where did you "hear" this?

[gumby]

Glad to hear they will be installing "breathalyzers" & metal detectors at the entry/exit, along with LEAN [[law enforcement agency network) stations to make potential arrests or collect fines [[tickets, warrants, etc.)......

It's LEIN [[Law Enforcement Information Network).

[Smirnoff]

So... where did you "hear" this?

On the inner-web.

[sumas]

I enjoy Belle Isle, just knowing it is there is sometimes enough. I do avoid it at graduation time. The kids get pretty wild. The streets get clogged. I have been on the island during that time in the past. Never once did anyone threatened to harm us. I just do not like crowds. If the state does nothing more than keep the litter under control, I'll be happy. Oops, forgot, that's right, I am Detroit and we settle for crap. Sorry just be shirty.