Are White People in Detroit immune to Violent crime in the city

**313hero** · January-17-12, 04:37 PM

Just wondering. Cause I see Black on Black violent crime all the time. Robbers killing victims etc. and was wondering did White's in this city fall victim to violent crimes w/ in the city also. I know we all have to deal w/ cars getting stolen and crap like that, but as far as violent crimes, do White's in this city have to worry about it???

**trotwood** · January-17-12, 04:44 PM

With all due respect this is one the oddest questions I've ever heard in my life.
No one is immune to violent crime,regardless of age,religion,sex,sexual orientation,religon,place of residence,politcally affiliation,social/economic station,etc.
NO ONE!

**401don** · January-17-12, 04:45 PM

No black man in Detroit would lay a hand on a white man and vice versa. You should put it to the test.

DC48080 · January-17-12, 04:45 PM

This is really a silly topic for a thread. Everybody, regardless of race, has to worry about the rampant, out of control crime in the city of Detroit.

The population of Detroit happens to be more than 80 percent black so it is natural that the majority of the victims of crime will be black.

**Detroitnerd** · January-17-12, 04:48 PM

Nope

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news...4E00M.facebook

**SWMAP** · January-17-12, 04:52 PM

Macomb County residents murdered in Detroit in November.

Photo shows a white male and a white female:

http://www.dailytribune.com/articles...4169676585.txt

**313hero** · January-17-12, 04:59 PM

Just wondering. Cause its pretty rare can yall agree to that, or the media doesnt talk about it much. I know no matter who you are you must always be observant of your surroundings etc. Just was wondering if White people should be more or less worried than Black People. I posted this same question on my FB account and its very interesting how perceptions are from various groups of Detroiter's and Metro Detroiter's.

**Scottathew** · January-17-12, 05:00 PM

A lot of violent crime happens within the home by folks who live there. Since the majority of residents of Detroit are black, the majority of victims in these situation will be black.

Just like in Warren, the majority of Warren residents are white, and therefor the majority of domestic disputes are white on white.

The big thing in Detroit and many other places as well is to be smart and use your head. Be aware of your surroundings, and do you best to minimize your chances of being a victim of crime.

**Detroitnerd** · January-17-12, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by 48091

The big thing in Detroit and many other places as well is to be smart and use your head. Be aware of your surroundings, and do you best to minimize your chances of being a victim of crime.

Usually, I cover my face and body with dirt, dress in rags, and walk down the side of the highway filling a baby carriage with junk and returnables while jabbering to myself. Not a victim of one crime yet!

**Magnatomicflux** · January-17-12, 05:20 PM

I know I'm not immune to it. That's why I take an antihistamine before crossing the border.

**MikeyinBrooklyn** · January-17-12, 05:32 PM

Thankfully, I have never been a crime victim in Detroit. Was mugged at gunpoint walking over the Williamsburg bridge in New York once, though. I'm sort of built like a linebacker, so I think I don't give off an "easy target" vibe.

I don't care about black on black or white on white or whatever. It sucks if you are harmed, no matter who did it. One of my reasons for opposing hate crimes laws [[don't get me wrong, I believe in tough punishment for all violent criminals) is that if you get beat up, you get beat up. If you get raped and killed, you're raped and killed. The motivation of the perp is irrelevant. Everyone in Detroit has a right to feel safe in any neighborhood. I feel most awful for kids in the neighborhoods with the highest crime rates. Not because they are black or not, but because they have to live among the dealers and the drive bys and arson...

**innercitydoc** · January-17-12, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by SWMAP

Macomb County residents murdered in Detroit in November.

Photo shows a white male and a white female:

http://www.dailytribune.com/articles...4169676585.txt

They appear hispanic to me especially given their last names. Also the article mentions drug involvement to which any race is fair game. I believe this thread is asking if random white people who work here, go to sports events, bars, etc. have the same adjusted risk of becoming a victim of murder as blacks. Anecdotally I would say no just based on the fact that law abiding white people limit their activity to safer parts of the city amongst other reasons.

**MikeyinBrooklyn** · January-17-12, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by innercitydoc

They appear hispanic to me especially given their last names. Also the article mentions drug involvement to which any race is fair game. I believe this thread is asking if random white people who work here, go to sports events, bars, etc. have the same adjusted risk of becoming a victim of murder as blacks. Anecdotally I would say no just based on the fact that law abiding white people limit their activity to safer parts of the city amongst other reasons.

I think this is accurate. White folks aren't living in the highest crime neighborhoods in great numbers. Midtown/downtown have people of all races. But I think statistically they are pretty safe for everyone. I think crimes are committed in geographic patterns more than racial ones. Demographics [[racial and otherwise) do indicate where someone is more or less likely to live and work, but beyond that the demographics are not the determining factor for who is victimized.

**epiphany** · January-17-12, 07:23 PM

Well, I have had people try to drag me into their car to do who knows what on more than one occasion while waiting at bus stops. Does that count? Or do you still think that white people aren't victims of violent crime? I think it has more to do with the fact that most white people stick to downtown and midtown. And white people like me that have lived in black neighborhoods their entire lives are somehow just stupid for being in the wrong place when that stuff happens to them.

**corktownyuppie** · January-17-12, 08:40 PM

I don't think that it's a white vs. black thing, necessarily. I'm more willing to see it as a rich vs. poor thing. Wealthy people tend to have the resources to pay for their own private security. And consequently, they are less likely to experience violent crime.

People living in midtown/downtown tend to be in areas that provide their own security:

- Near WSU, where there is a dedicated police force
- Casinos, that have its own security
- Hotels, own security
- Sporting events, own security
- Paid Parking lots, own security
- Newly constructed lofts, own security
- Grand Circus Park apartment complexes, own security
- Campus Martius, own security
- Michigan Ave. restaurants in Corktown, own security

I've been living downtown for 3 years and have yet to know anyone personally who was a victim of violent crime, nor have have I witnessed one myself.

But I wouldn't say it's because I'm white. [[Especially, cuz I'm not.) It's because the places I tend to be and go generally have their own private security to augment DPD.

**detroitsgwenivere** · January-17-12, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by epiphany

Well, I have had people try to drag me into their car to do who knows what on more than one occasion while waiting at bus stops. Does that count? Or do you still think that white people aren't victims of violent crime? I think it has more to do with the fact that most white people stick to downtown and midtown. And white people like me that have lived in black neighborhoods their entire lives are somehow just stupid for being in the wrong place when that stuff happens to them.

I must concur with you. When reporting an incident to the police last year, a prevalent response amongst the discussion was how I put myself in the situation by being white in a black, i.e. high crime, neighborhood. The area I was in is actually a high crime mixed neighborhood, funny.

Every time I've been a victim of crime [[so far, knock on wood) it has been within a half mile of 8mile or north of, and I've lived in some of Detroit's shadiest areas.

Also, proximity to main drags, like when standing on the curb waiting for the bus, makes you more vulnerable because of increased visibility to passer bys. I think some people, being whatever color, feel much more visible when theirs is the lone face of their skin color in the crowd.

**313WX** · January-17-12, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by 313hero

Just wondering. Cause I see Black on Black violent crime all the time. Robbers killing victims etc. and was wondering did White's in this city fall victim to violent crimes w/ in the city also. I know we all have to deal w/ cars getting stolen and crap like that, but as far as violent crimes, do White's in this city have to worry about it???

It's not that whites are immune to crimes in Detroit, per say.

Rather, in Detroit, with a population of 725,000 and only 40,000 are white, there are fewer whites around to target for crimes.

Furthermore, majority of the crimes in Detroit are centered around the drug culture, and blacks statiscally are far more engrained within it than whites.

**Dexlin** · January-18-12, 06:33 AM

A few things...

The Detroit Free Press did an entire and extensive series on this a few months back called "Living with Murder." So extensive, in fact, that there is literally a map and demographic information for EVERY person murdered in Detroit from 2003 until when the report was done in late 2011.

Secondly, I see a lot of "well, Detroit is 80% black so most of the victims will be too", but the fact remains that though the city is 83% black, nearly 90% of the victims over that time period were black. So, statistically, you're still less likely to be a victim of homicide if you're a white resident of the city. That said, it should also be noted that not all victims [[of any race) are city residents, though, I'd imagine most are, and I'd bet income would be a better indicator of risk if that could be measured.

BTW, a few more facts from the report:

- 83% of homicides are are the result of shootings [[2005 to June 2011).

- Saturday's are the most likely days for murders, Wednesdays the least likely.

- July & September are the most likely months, February is by far the least [[03 to 11)

- The average age of a victim is 32, but the most frequent age is 22.

- Nearly 86% of victims were men.

**Zacha341** · January-18-12, 08:01 AM

White or black sadly you can find yourself an innocent victim of crime. Any context that puts you in a situation where you 'stand out' and could become a 'mark' is an issue... I feel it more as I get older - the feeling of not wanting to be someones 'mark'....

Looking like a naive tourist is a factor too. I did a bus tour to Chi-town and figuring myself pretty hearty as a Detroiter I still made sure not to have that oggling 'touristy' look when in certain questionable areas that I wanted to see.

I am Black BTW... but that 'easy prey' look transends race and criminals and opportunists can read it...

**313hero** · January-18-12, 09:59 AM

Thank You guys for the insight and honesty. We all can agree that being a victim of any crime by anyone sucks. Its just interesting to see how my FB groups answered the exact same question and how you guys answered it. @ the end of the day no matter who you are be carefull and mindfull of your surroundings and keep your witts about ya. One of the reasons I posted this is because I've been seeing alot of integration in my neighborhood and its pretty cool. I've lived in the same area in the city most of my life and growing up I NEVER saw white people. Seriously. I'm 29 now and the first time I actually had contact with a white person around my age that i kicked it w/ I was 22. Now I see White People and Asians mostley in my neighborhood walking dogs jogging etc. Its actually a few White families on my block. I asked this question cause they all seemed carefree and appeared to be enjoying our neighborhood. Pretty Cool if you ask me.

**corktownyuppie** · January-18-12, 12:11 PM

Sounds like a nice part of town. Not to stalk you, but where do you stay at?

**SaintMe** · January-18-12, 12:41 PM

http://www.dailytribune.com/articles...8543565359.txt

**313hero** · January-18-12, 01:10 PM

Boston-Edison

**313hero** · January-18-12, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by SaintMe

http://www.dailytribune.com/articles...8543565359.txt

This seems like a gay lover gone crazy

**313hero** · January-18-12, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Dexlin

A few things...

The Detroit Free Press did an entire and extensive series on this a few months back called "Living with Murder." So extensive, in fact, that there is literally a map and demographic information for EVERY person murdered in Detroit from 2003 until when the report was done in late 2011.

Secondly, I see a lot of "well, Detroit is 80% black so most of the victims will be too", but the fact remains that though the city is 83% black, nearly 90% of the victims over that time period were black. So, statistically, you're still less likely to be a victim of homicide if you're a white resident of the city. That said, it should also be noted that not all victims [[of any race) are city residents, though, I'd imagine most are, and I'd bet income would be a better indicator of risk if that could be measured.

BTW, a few more facts from the report:

- 83% of homicides are are the result of shootings [[2005 to June 2011).

- Saturday's are the most likely days for murders, Wednesdays the least likely.

- July & September are the most likely months, February is by far the least [[03 to 11)

- The average age of a victim is 32, but the most frequent age is 22.

- Nearly 86% of victims were men.

Thanks for the info