Saturday Night Shooting near Royal Oak YMCA

[thecarl]

Well, things got a little crazy in Royal Oak Saturday night. The YMCA was rented out for a birthday party, and two of the guests got into a fight. They were escorted outside, and 911 was called. However, the altercation continued, and people spilled out onto the street, quarreling loudly, until all the shouting and commotion was ended with a gun shot. Approximately 50 people scattered in all directions. The police arrived within 90 seconds of the gunshot and created a perimeter - as wave upon wave of cruisers continued to swarm through the area. The K9 unit arrived and several people were found hiding behind nearby houses and were interviewed by the police. Apparently the shooter was quickly found and arrested; and fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

I live across from the YMCA and just thought I'd share this as a matter of public interest, since the story is not showing up in the media. And not that I didn't have this concern before - but I really feel for the folks that deal with this type of disturbance on a regular basis - and who do not get the police response they deserve...

[Danny]

I was walking to my friends house on that night. I have to pass 11 Mile Rd. and Maxwell St. to do that. That was close. Looks like violent crime is up in Royal Oak. Is the neighborhoods in Royal Oak is getting crime laden? It's seems to me with all the job losses and economic depression violent crime is last resort.

[Detroitnerd]

I don't know what this would have to do with economic depression. Sounds like a get-together gone bad, a fairly common story.

[Danny]

African American friends and families love to throw their get-together-parties mostly in the suburbs from parks to rental halls. This is because of safety concerns. I seen it happen. If this incident is a 'black thing!' in the suburban areas the police will respond very quickly.

If its a Caucasian thing the police response will be quick, but settled fast.

[thecarl]

Danny, you raise an interesting point relating economic depression and violent crime. That notion suggests that people will undertake desperate means to support themselves, such as robbery and burglary, or even murder, if it means survival. However, violent crime also seems to be taking place as a social custom - where if someone is disrespected, or won't give up their tennis shoes, for example - a life is lost because of it. Saturday night's event was not about someone trying to attain food, shelter, or clothing as a result of economic depression; it was about a society that tolerates, and even expects, that type of violent behavior as part of the social structure. Perhaps the two ideas are intertwined - but one could point to very poor people - such as folks in the Appalachians - who are very impoverished, but not necessarily violent. It sounds hokey, but people have to believe that riches are in the heart, and in the ties that bind the community. So I would say the difference in a community where economic depression leads to widespread crime is a result of failed leadership.

[cramerro]

Well stated, thecarl.

[Bham1982]

It's purely anecdotal, but the "quality" of downtown R.O. patronage seems to have declined markedly in recent years, especially at night.

Lots of meatheads getting into stupid fights, plenty of screaming, tires squealing, etc. It isn't a super diverse or welcoming environment, IMO.

[bartock]

It's purely anecdotal, but the "quality" of downtown R.O. patronage seems to have declined markedly in recent years, especially at night.

Lots of meatheads getting into stupid fights, plenty of screaming, tires squealing, etc. It isn't a super diverse or welcoming environment, IMO.

I don't know about that. I bartended for a few years in downtown R.O. about 15 years ago, and the meathead-ish, screaming, squealing tires [[and loud motorcycles), etc., was there then. In fact, I remember it being worse, but my perspective is obviously different now. I just thought it was the result of having a bunch of bars and restaurants near each other in one of the few walkable areas of Metro Detroit.

The "economic situation" stuff as a direct or indirect component of these incidents is a bit old, in my opinion.

[detroitsgwenivere]

Royal Joke has always sustained a level of violent crime. People don't realize that before RJ became a yuppie/hipster stronghold, it was home to several lower- and mid income families. Not that it directly correlates, but the kids used to beef every so often [[upper and lower incomes I mean), and it could get quite violent. Drug raids were not uncommon in neighborhoods closer to downtown, and there was always the occasional murder or suicide, nothing new. Not to mention the police state that RJ became after it was decided that the presence of young adults on the streets and downtown without a parent was intolerable. RJ also sits in-between a large transportation corridor, Woodward/ 6-96/ I-75, so anyone and everyone travels through it or by it. Plus, it's home to a Greyhound station, an Amtrak line, a SMART line, and several cab co.s.

One shooting at a party hardly means that Detroit is coming to a neighborhood near you.

[Bham1982]

People don't realize that before RJ became a yuppie/hipster stronghold, it was home to several lower- and mid income families.

I would say that, even today, RO is mostly middle income or working class. Outside of the downtown area, and Vinsetta Boulevard area, most of RO consists of tiny postwar bungalows.

IMO, the downtown yuppie crowd is more the exception than the rule. Most of RO is fairly salt-of-the-earth [[ok, not like Ecorse or something, but still pretty "common man", especially heading east towards Madison Heights).

[rjk]

Nice work by the RO PD. Last week in short order they nailed those two maggots who killed the elderly woman and they seem to be on their game again in catching this shooter.

[rjk]

http://detnews.com/article/20111128/...Royal-Oak-YMCA

[SteveJ]

It was on Fox news last night.

I remember the shooting in Ferndale a couple years back at a hall and the shooters were from Detroit just like this case. I know a couple cities have stopped renting their facilities to non-residents because of this crap.

[dtowncitylover]

Royal Joke has always sustained a level of violent crime. People don't realize that before RJ became a yuppie/hipster stronghold, it was home to several lower- and mid income families. Not that it directly correlates, but the kids used to beef every so often [[upper and lower incomes I mean), and it could get quite violent. Drug raids were not uncommon in neighborhoods closer to downtown, and there was always the occasional murder or suicide, nothing new. Not to mention the police state that RJ became after it was decided that the presence of young adults on the streets and downtown without a parent was intolerable. RJ also sits in-between a large transportation corridor, Woodward/ 6-96/ I-75, so anyone and everyone travels through it or by it. Plus, it's home to a Greyhound station, an Amtrak line, a SMART line, and several cab co.s.

One shooting at a party hardly means that Detroit is coming to a neighborhood near you.

I would like to know why the persistent use of "Royal Joke". That term came out of a different era when Royal Oak had an empty downtown. Since the 90s, things have drastically improved. Don't be such an arrogant city dweller. And Greyhound doesn't have a stop of the ROTC anymore, but if you had checked your facts, as with the rest of the post, you would know that.

[adamjab19]

Ok, if you have to have security for a family party, maybe you shouldn't have the party. COME ON PEOPLE!! I'm really beginning to think some residents in our dear city are part of a Darwin type of experiment.

I can not say enough bad things about people like this.

And yes, kudos to the Royal Oak Police for their work over the past couple of weeks. Some of you are used to this crime thing but I for one am not and refuse to become used to it.

[English]

One shooting at a party hardly means that Detroit is coming to a neighborhood near you.

Agreed. And while I understand thecarl's sentiments, and concur, we need far more than admonishments and "ought to dos" in order to encourage more positive social behavior. I'm not sure what that is, but telling people that they ought to shake it off when disrespected hasn't worked well -- at all.

[detroitsgwenivere]

I would like to know why the persistent use of "Royal Joke". That term came out of a different era when Royal Oak had an empty downtown. Since the 90s, things have drastically improved. Don't be such an arrogant city dweller. And Greyhound doesn't have a stop of the ROTC anymore, but if you had checked your facts, as with the rest of the post, you would know that.

Ummm....let's start with the fact that I grew up in Royal JOKE, graduated from RJ schools, worked in RJ, my family still owns and rents property in RJ, my family having experienced the lowest treatment afforded to a RJ resident possible [[hence the leaving part), and I still have friends who live there. I think that means I might have a slight inkling as to what has gone on there.

No more Greyhound huh? Yeah not knowing THAT really puts me on the dumbass list. I'm surprised you even know about that considering the only experience you've had with a bus system was PACE in Chicago...

Second, grow a sense of humor pal. Last time I checked using a petname to describe a well-known city in the area I've lived in my whole life isn't exactly something I'd call assh*le like.

[detroitsgwenivere]

I know a couple cities have stopped renting their facilities to non-residents because of this crap.

I'm not mad at em'. Not all former Detroiters can handle the pressure of conforming to suburban living. Hell, some can't handle the basics like mowing the lawn or taking the party inside after midnight. I'm the first one to tell my ghetto-ish friends that moving to Shelby or Troy may not work out for them. But at the same time, if they're hell bent on the move, I try to give them pointers about what changes to expect and [[politely) the behaviors they may have to modify.

But most are hard working everyday folks that have nothing to do with shootings that are being perpetrated by dangerous people who don't even live in that city.

I will also add this. The last two renters my father put out of the rental were not from Detroit, but were from Belleview and Hazel Park.

[sirrealone]

Not all former Detroiters can handle the pressure of conforming to suburban living. Hell, some can't handle the basics like mowing the lawn or taking the party inside after midnight. I'm the first one to tell my ghetto-ish friends that moving to Shelby or Troy may not work out for them. But at the same time, if they're hell bent on the move, I try to give them pointers about what changes to expect and [[politely) the behaviors they may have to modify.

I never understood why, if you go outside at 1am and see that every other house is dark and quiet, it doesn't dawn on that individual [[or group of individuals) that making a ruckus is not going to fly. Or "Hey, I've got a lawn. Do I need to do anything about it?" Everything you wrote falls under the category of "common sense" which you either have or don't have. It can't be taught.

[bartock]

It is common sense. Funny how it is described as "conforming to suburban living".

[Eric_c]

It is common sense. Funny how it is described as "conforming to suburban living".

I suppose it *is* common sense to those of us who grew up viewing it as common.

Somebody back in 1956 dropped the ball. Instead of moving away when the new neighbors from Alabama parked on the lawn or BBQd on the front porch, they should have politely corrected them, right? Or, since it's not their business, they could have just called the cops. Over. And over. And over.

Growing up, one of my father's friends said that Detroit was basically a town full of farmers. A bulk of the population up here stems from the rural south and the culture has had a real hard time assimilating with that of northern urbanites. Add race to it and it turns into a tragic comedy.

[dtowncitylover]

Ummm....let's start with the fact that I grew up in Royal JOKE, graduated from RJ schools, worked in RJ, my family still owns and rents property in RJ, my family having experienced the lowest treatment afforded to a RJ resident possible [[hence the leaving part), and I still have friends who live there. I think that means I might have a slight inkling as to what has gone on there.

No more Greyhound huh? Yeah not knowing THAT really puts me on the dumbass list. I'm surprised you even know about that considering the only experience you've had with a bus system was PACE in Chicago...

Second, grow a sense of humor pal. Last time I checked using a petname to describe a well-known city in the area I've lived in my whole life isn't exactly something I'd call assh*le like.

I still live in Royal Oak, grew up here in the same house my dad grew up in. My family has been here since 1952. Ummmm, and no my only "experience" with a bus system was not PACE. I've never even taken PACE, never said that I did. 1) I have taken SMART/DDOT many times, sorry but I do prefer the independence of a car 2) I lived in Chicago for awhile [[hated it) and took the CTA 99% of my time living there. I just think using "Royal Joke" would be like someone around you calling Detroit, Detoilet all the time. And of course, I should back off because Hazel Park and Taylor are always Hazeltucky and Taylortucky.

[Eric_c]

Ha! And Garbage City and Wasteland and Cowtown on the Westside! Sterling Whites and Worn on the East!

[antongast]

I suppose it *is* common sense to those of us who grew up viewing it as common.

Somebody back in 1956 dropped the ball. Instead of moving away when the new neighbors from Alabama parked on the lawn or BBQd on the front porch, they should have politely corrected them, right? Or, since it's not their business, they could have just called the cops. Over. And over. And over.

Growing up, one of my father's friends said that Detroit was basically a town full of farmers. A bulk of the population up here stems from the rural south and the culture has had a real hard time assimilating with that of northern urbanites. Add race to it and it turns into a tragic comedy.

I don't get *why* it's common sense. I mean, not making noise outside late at night if nobody else is, okay, that's common courtesy, I guess, but the other stuff? Who the hell cares if somebody down the street wants to grill on their porch? They paid for the house, didn't they? Or do property rights only apply to People Exactly Like Us?

[dtowncitylover]

my family still owns and rents property in RJ, my family having experienced the lowest treatment afforded to a RJ resident possible [[hence the leaving part).

What do you mean by this? You make it sound like RO has suddenly become what happened Highland Park...