Detroit Block Parties Hosts

**SWMAP** · June-29-15, 11:05 AM

I heard on the Warren Pierce show yesterday morning that the big, big "block" parties that are in the news lately are actually hosted by drug dealers.

They say that they are providing a much-needed recreational outlet for Detroiters who don't have anywhere else to go for fun.

The widespread neighborhood knowledge of who is hosting these parties must be behind the comment from a family whose family member was shot last week that the "Police Should Have Been Here."

I ws mystifued by that rant because, who has the police hanging around at a party - but now I see why the commentator expected that police would be present. I guess that everyone in attendance understood about the hosts, but not us unaware newspaper readers.

So now, in Detroit, block parties should be shut down.

**Dan Wesson** · June-29-15, 11:27 AM

"They say that they are providing a much-needed recreational outlet for Detroiters who don't have anywhere else to go for fun."

Can't go to Belle izzle fo shizzel...

**detroitsgwenivere** · June-29-15, 11:50 AM

Ok so lemme get this straight.

We can't party on Belle Isle anymore, or a local park for that matter because they are supposed to be "family friendly" [[whatever THAT means). Can't go to the riverfront without a thousand cops hanging around harassing people. Can't drag race or park and hang [[like at Chandler park). Can't take your dog to the park with your people without getting it shot. Can't let you or your kids walk down the street with more than 2 friends or it constitutes a gang. Can't smoke weed anywhere in a neighborhood with a nosey neighbor or you might lose all of your valuables to police theft, otherwise known as forfeiture. Can't hang out in any establishment after 2am that has alcohol or you might lose your car to forfeiture. Got rid of the Halloween spot, check. Getting rid of John's Carpet House, check.

So in other words, I can't be a grown person, hanging out with other grown persons, doing grown people shit in places other than my house or my block. So lets force all of the people who like to do anything other than ride their bike with their helmet on, sit at church on sun morn or wait in line at Slow's to congregate in places that are perceived as safe enough to be the last resort. Our block.

And now we want to go after that as well. Tell me, why the fuck did I move to Detroit again?

**313WX** · June-29-15, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Tell me, why the fuck did I move to Detroit again?

At least you never have to worry about running out of fresh water or the city being destroyed by a natural disaster...

**detroitsgwenivere** · June-29-15, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

At least you never have to worry about running out of fresh water or the city being destroyed by a natural disaster...

ok you got me.

**Dan Wesson** · June-29-15, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Ok so lemme get this straight.

We can't party on Belle Isle anymore, or a local park for that matter because they are supposed to be "family friendly" [[whatever THAT means). Can't go to the riverfront without a thousand cops hanging around harassing people. Can't drag race or park and hang [[like at Chandler park). Can't take your dog to the park with your people without getting it shot. Can't let you or your kids walk down the street with more than 2 friends or it constitutes a gang. Can't smoke weed anywhere in a neighborhood with a nosey neighbor or you might lose all of your valuables to police theft, otherwise known as forfeiture. Can't hang out in any establishment after 2am that has alcohol or you might lose your car to forfeiture. Got rid of the Halloween spot, check. Getting rid of John's Carpet House, check.

So in other words, I can't be a grown person, hanging out with other grown persons, doing grown people shit in places other than my house or my block. So lets force all of the people who like to do anything other than ride their bike with their helmet on, sit at church on sun morn or wait in line at Slow's to congregate in places that are perceived as safe enough to be the last resort. Our block.

And now we want to go after that as well. Tell me, why the fuck did I move to Detroit again?

Dang! Damn accurate assessment there Gwen.

Kinda crappy being stuck between The Law and The Lawless.

Another reason I like the up north. Until you experience the freedom and open land available to wander about then you get to see that living in the megalopolis is constricting as hell.

**jcole** · June-29-15, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Ok so lemme get this straight.

We can't party on Belle Isle anymore, or a local park for that matter because they are supposed to be "family friendly" [[whatever THAT means). Can't go to the riverfront without a thousand cops hanging around harassing people. Can't drag race or park and hang [[like at Chandler park). Can't take your dog to the park with your people without getting it shot. Can't let you or your kids walk down the street with more than 2 friends or it constitutes a gang. Can't smoke weed anywhere in a neighborhood with a nosey neighbor or you might lose all of your valuables to police theft, otherwise known as forfeiture. Can't hang out in any establishment after 2am that has alcohol or you might lose your car to forfeiture. Got rid of the Halloween spot, check. Getting rid of John's Carpet House, check.

So in other words, I can't be a grown person, hanging out with other grown persons, doing grown people shit in places other than my house or my block. So lets force all of the people who like to do anything other than ride their bike with their helmet on, sit at church on sun morn or wait in line at Slow's to congregate in places that are perceived as safe enough to be the last resort. Our block.

And now we want to go after that as well. Tell me, why the fuck did I move to Detroit again?

So you moved to Detroit so you can break the law? Gee, thanks

**bailey** · June-29-15, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Ok so lemme get this straight.

We can't party on Belle Isle anymore, or a local park for that matter because they are supposed to be "family friendly" [[whatever THAT means). Can't go to the riverfront without a thousand cops hanging around harassing people. Can't drag race or park and hang [[like at Chandler park). Can't take your dog to the park with your people without getting it shot. Can't let you or your kids walk down the street with more than 2 friends or it constitutes a gang. Can't smoke weed anywhere in a neighborhood with a nosey neighbor or you might lose all of your valuables to police theft, otherwise known as forfeiture. Can't hang out in any establishment after 2am that has alcohol or you might lose your car to forfeiture. Got rid of the Halloween spot, check. Getting rid of John's Carpet House, check.

So in other words, I can't be a grown person, hanging out with other grown persons, doing grown people shit in places other than my house or my block. So lets force all of the people who like to do anything other than ride their bike with their helmet on, sit at church on sun morn or wait in line at Slow's to congregate in places that are perceived as safe enough to be the last resort. Our block.

And now we want to go after that as well. Tell me, why the fuck did I move to Detroit again?

This post sums up why detroit will never have nice things. hopefully there is some missed sarcasm there....

**detroitsgwenivere** · June-29-15, 06:33 PM

Right bailey, we will never have nice things [[as if) because people like me, and there are 10s of thousands of us in Detroit, have a different take on what the meaning of public space is. Is it so hard to believe that all of us aren't falling all over ourselves to re-make the city into the suburbanites vision of white, safe, and clean? I'm sorry but my family and I have been through enough in this city that the last thing we need is to have one more thing we take happy refuge in being curtailed.

Tell me this, if the city starts cracking down on block parties, do you think they will go after the one in Corktown? Or the drunken rut otherwise known as Dally in the Alley? My money is on "nay."

When you prevent people who are responsible tax paying adults from having outlets that they actually desire to take part in, segregate them from what should be considered part of open society, you push them into concentrated clusters of resentment and degraded behavior. Not to mention that many of the young people living in the neighborhoods in Detroit are damn near feral, so add that to the mix and what you get a whole lot of hood drama and violence.

This isn't rocket science.

"If the young are not initiated into the village, they will burn it down just to feel its warmth." -African Proverb

And wheels, I'm proud to speak out against ignorance and be tolerant of different people and cultures, especially in regards to my Detroit neighbors. The only problem I'm a part of is the one that has to constantly remind the rest of you that this is not a one size fits all civilization, let alone city.

**Towne Cluber** · June-29-15, 07:54 PM

Keep it real...No snitching...Acting White...____ is for them, not us...Do whatever you want [[as long as you don't do it to me or my family)...blah, blah, blah

Add in a police/business/white/suburban conspiracy theory and stir.

**gvidas** · June-30-15, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Tell me this, if the city starts cracking down on block parties, do you think they will go after the one in Corktown? Or the drunken rut otherwise known as Dally in the Alley? My money is on "nay."

Correct. Dally and the Corktown mess both jump thru the expensive hoops -- mostly large event liability insurance policies and some amount of off-duty cops hired as security.

It is amazingly expensive to have a legitimate event which is open to the public in this city and involves alcohol. Even a small one.

I predict all the parties will get cracked down on, but the downtown / periphery parties will continue. In a few months, the downtown party hosts will all go "so what? we've been paying that much for years" while the neighborhood hosts are all like: "who has $10,000 to spend on permits, insurance, and private security for a party?"

**Towne Cluber** · June-29-15, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Ok so lemme get this straight.

We can't party on Belle Isle anymore, or a local park for that matter because they are supposed to be "family friendly" [[whatever THAT means). Can't go to the riverfront without a thousand cops hanging around harassing people. Can't drag race or park and hang [[like at Chandler park). Can't take your dog to the park with your people without getting it shot. Can't let you or your kids walk down the street with more than 2 friends or it constitutes a gang. Can't smoke weed anywhere in a neighborhood with a nosey neighbor or you might lose all of your valuables to police theft, otherwise known as forfeiture. Can't hang out in any establishment after 2am that has alcohol or you might lose your car to forfeiture. Got rid of the Halloween spot, check. Getting rid of John's Carpet House, check.

So in other words, I can't be a grown person, hanging out with other grown persons, doing grown people shit in places other than my house or my block. So lets force all of the people who like to do anything other than ride their bike with their helmet on, sit at church on sun morn or wait in line at Slow's to congregate in places that are perceived as safe enough to be the last resort. Our block.

And now we want to go after that as well. Tell me, why the fuck did I move to Detroit again?

Is this from The Onion?

**Bigb23** · July-03-15, 05:11 PM

[QUOTI Cluber;482574]Is this from The Onion?[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the reminder -

Also I'm looking at Gary Larson - "Don't worry, He's only dangerous when he's startled"

**Wheels** · June-29-15, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Ok so lemme get this straight.

We can't party on Belle Isle anymore, or a local park for that matter because they are supposed to be "family friendly" [[whatever THAT means). Can't go to the riverfront without a thousand cops hanging around harassing people. Can't drag race or park and hang [[like at Chandler park). Can't take your dog to the park with your people without getting it shot. Can't let you or your kids walk down the street with more than 2 friends or it constitutes a gang. Can't smoke weed anywhere in a neighborhood with a nosey neighbor or you might lose all of your valuables to police theft, otherwise known as forfeiture. Can't hang out in any establishment after 2am that has alcohol or you might lose your car to forfeiture. Got rid of the Halloween spot, check. Getting rid of John's Carpet House, check.

So in other words, I can't be a grown person, hanging out with other grown persons, doing grown people shit in places other than my house or my block. So lets force all of the people who like to do anything other than ride their bike with their helmet on, sit at church on sun morn or wait in line at Slow's to congregate in places that are perceived as safe enough to be the last resort. Our block.

And now we want to go after that as well. Tell me, why the fuck did I move to Detroit again?

Are you proud to be part of the problem?

**gumby** · June-30-15, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Ok so lemme get this straight.

We can't party on Belle Isle anymore, or a local park for that matter because they are supposed to be "family friendly" [[whatever THAT means). Can't go to the riverfront without a thousand cops hanging around harassing people. Can't drag race or park and hang [[like at Chandler park). Can't take your dog to the park with your people without getting it shot. Can't let you or your kids walk down the street with more than 2 friends or it constitutes a gang. Can't smoke weed anywhere in a neighborhood with a nosey neighbor or you might lose all of your valuables to police theft, otherwise known as forfeiture. Can't hang out in any establishment after 2am that has alcohol or you might lose your car to forfeiture. Got rid of the Halloween spot, check. Getting rid of John's Carpet House, check.

So in other words, I can't be a grown person, hanging out with other grown persons, doing grown people shit in places other than my house or my block. So lets force all of the people who like to do anything other than ride their bike with their helmet on, sit at church on sun morn or wait in line at Slow's to congregate in places that are perceived as safe enough to be the last resort. Our block.

And now we want to go after that as well. Tell me, why the fuck did I move to Detroit again?

I really hope you are being sarcastic. What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

**dtowncitylover** · June-30-15, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Ok so lemme get this straight.

We can't party on Belle Isle anymore, or a local park for that matter because they are supposed to be "family friendly" [[whatever THAT means). Can't go to the riverfront without a thousand cops hanging around harassing people. Can't drag race or park and hang [[like at Chandler park). Can't take your dog to the park with your people without getting it shot. Can't let you or your kids walk down the street with more than 2 friends or it constitutes a gang. Can't smoke weed anywhere in a neighborhood with a nosey neighbor or you might lose all of your valuables to police theft, otherwise known as forfeiture. Can't hang out in any establishment after 2am that has alcohol or you might lose your car to forfeiture. Got rid of the Halloween spot, check. Getting rid of John's Carpet House, check.

So in other words, I can't be a grown person, hanging out with other grown persons, doing grown people shit in places other than my house or my block. So lets force all of the people who like to do anything other than ride their bike with their helmet on, sit at church on sun morn or wait in line at Slow's to congregate in places that are perceived as safe enough to be the last resort. Our block.

And now we want to go after that as well. Tell me, why the fuck did I move to Detroit again?

Oh my gosh, it's starting to feel like a real city where laws are actually enforced. Perhaps you moved to Detroit for all the wrong reasons? Stop flagrantly smoking weed, stop drag racing, stop staying out till 5 am and do something meaningful for you and your community. Perhaps you do, but you didn't highlight them here with this waste of a post.

I've heard the same bitching over the past 3-5 years, especially with the Belle Isle takover. UHHHHHH....HELLO! This is what living in a functional city looks like. You couldn't get away with this stuff in Chicago, New York, or Toronto. It still happens there, sure, but there's an actual police force waiting for you and now that's becoming a reality here.

**Oddz313** · July-01-15, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Ok so lemme get this straight.

We can't party on Belle Isle anymore, or a local park for that matter because they are supposed to be "family friendly" [[whatever THAT means). Can't go to the riverfront without a thousand cops hanging around harassing people. Can't drag race or park and hang [[like at Chandler park). Can't take your dog to the park with your people without getting it shot. Can't let you or your kids walk down the street with more than 2 friends or it constitutes a gang. Can't smoke weed anywhere in a neighborhood with a nosey neighbor or you might lose all of your valuables to police theft, otherwise known as forfeiture. Can't hang out in any establishment after 2am that has alcohol or you might lose your car to forfeiture. Got rid of the Halloween spot, check. Getting rid of John's Carpet House, check.

So in other words, I can't be a grown person, hanging out with other grown persons, doing grown people shit in places other than my house or my block. So lets force all of the people who like to do anything other than ride their bike with their helmet on, sit at church on sun morn or wait in line at Slow's to congregate in places that are perceived as safe enough to be the last resort. Our block.

And now we want to go after that as well. Tell me, why the fuck did I move to Detroit again?

Not the best crowd for this take on things but I get some of the things your saying. This forum is filled with whites that are from the 50's-70's that fled detroit and want to reminisce on the good old days of the city. They really had the best of it too. They had better opportunities, better schools, less broken families, the police were not out for profit and the system was less punitive,college was affordable but it wasn't completely necessary to attend to make it,the girls they chased around they could plow as many as they want without huge fear of disease, and that is why they really can't relate with the 35 and under crowd so much. Also this New Detroit thing is more of an illusion, violent crime is up this year.

**Dan Wesson** · July-01-15, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Oddz313

Not the best crowd for this take on things but I get some of the things your saying. This forum is filled with whites that are from the 50's-70's that fled detroit and want to reminisce on the good old days of the city. They really had the best of it too. They had better opportunities, better schools, less broken families, the police were not out for profit and the system was less punitive,college was affordable but it wasn't completely necessary to attend to make it,the girls they chased around they could plow as many as they want without huge fear of disease, and that is why they really can't relate with the 35 and under crowd so much. Also this New Detroit thing is more of an illusion, violent crime is up this year.

Bingo! Your dead on. I was going to bring this up but I'm glad I waited. You said it much better and your living it.

Don't think for a minute I am not aware.

"They really had the best of it too. They had better opportunities, better schools, less broken families, the police were not out for profit and the system was less punitive,college was affordable but it wasn't completely necessary to attend to make it,the girls they chased around they could plow as many as they want without huge fear of disease,"

**corktownyuppie** · July-01-15, 09:51 AM

Count me in as part of the 35-and-unders.

The New Detroit thing is not an illusion. It just doesn't apply to everyone's tastes. If you're a 40-year old IT exec working downtown and living in Palmer Woods or Indian Village, New Detroit is amazing. free classical music at Campus Martius on Tuesday nights...free bike rides followed by group yoga with beautiful people on Belle Isle on Thursdays...Friday night at the DIA, free admission with free live music.

All free.

But if you're 20 yrs old with 6th grade literacy, unemployed, coming from a broken home living on the Redford border...looking for drag races, organizing block parties for drug dealers, this "New Detroit" stuff doesn't really affect you much.

Note, by the way, all the 20-yr-old is welcome to enjoy all of "New Detroit". And it's even free. It's just probably not stuff that he's really into all that much.

**Oddz313** · July-01-15, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by corktownyuppie

Count me in as part of the 35-and-unders.

The New Detroit thing is not an illusion. It just doesn't apply to everyone's tastes. If you're a 40-year old IT exec working downtown and living in Palmer Woods or Indian Village, New Detroit is amazing. free classical music at Campus Martius on Tuesday nights...free bike rides followed by group yoga with beautiful people on Belle Isle on Thursdays...Friday night at the DIA, free admission with free live music.

All free.

But if you're 20 yrs old with 6th grade literacy, unemployed, coming from a broken home living on the Redford border...looking for drag races, organizing block parties for drug dealers, this "New Detroit" stuff doesn't really affect you much.

Note, by the way, all the 20-yr-old is welcome to enjoy all of "New Detroit". And it's even free. It's just probably not stuff that he's really into all that much.

Ahh, The strawberries and wine crowd. I'm more of the have a few beers, listen to the tigers game and maybe do a little fishing on belle isle crowd but I can't afford the open intox ticket and I don't think uber wants to carry my fishing poles. So I will just stay away and New Detroit is not supposed to be exclusive to a certain segment of people. They better take notes from Baltimore while building it.

**corktownyuppie** · July-01-15, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Oddz313

Ahh, The strawberries and wine crowd. I

Like it or not, strawberries and wine is the economic future. The old blue-collar way of life is going the way of the confederacy flag. Sure, we're in dire need of highly skilled technical blue-collar workers...there's no question.

But as far a large economically powerful base, New Detroit [[and New Michigan) is not going back to the hey-day of the 1950s. This era belongs to the digital thinkers.

**Zacha341** · July-01-15, 10:43 AM

Drag racing is very dangerous! I knew someone, a father and husband who came upon a drag race, full out [[12 street strip in the late 80's). He was broad-sided, killed, just happened to driving thru the area late at night.

**Honky Tonk** · July-01-15, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by corktownyuppie

The New Detroit thing is not an illusion. It just doesn't apply to everyone

Let me fix that for you........ [[now where did I put the Geritol?)

**313WX** · July-01-15, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Oddz313

Not the best crowd for this take on things but I get some of the things your saying. This forum is filled with whites that are from the 50's-70's that fled detroit and want to reminisce on the good old days of the city. They really had the best of it too. They had better opportunities, better schools, less broken families, the police were not out for profit and the system was less punitive,college was affordable but it wasn't completely necessary to attend to make it,the girls they chased around they could plow as many as they want without huge fear of disease, and that is why they really can't relate with the 35 and under crowd so much. Also this New Detroit thing is more of an illusion, violent crime is up this year.

Great post.

This is also the same reason why those who remember 1940s-1970s Detroit and now currently live in the suburbs can't understand why folks 35 and under would want to flee Michigan.

Folks 35 and under quite frankly don't remember there ever being good times in this state, just doom & gloom between the auto industry collapse and Detroit proper's collapse. Folks 35 and under weren't born during Detroit's prime, and folks 35 and under were too young to remember the 1990s economic boom.

Thus, folks 35 and under don't have very pleasant memories of life in Michigan.

**corktownyuppie** · July-01-15, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Great post.

This is also the same reason why those who remember 1940s-1970s Detroit and now currently live in the suburbs can't understand why folks 35 and under would want to flee Michigan.

Nowhere was this concept more clearly articulated than when several Bloomfield Hills residents were recently interviewed about their opposition to regional transit. Their response? "We don't need that here...this isn't Chicago or New York".

Clearly they don't realize that all of their children are moving away to Chicago and New York, never to be seen again.