From the Detroit News:

Thursday, September 24, 2009
Detroit Police begin switch to precincts

Detroit -- Police Chief Warren Evans is expected to announce today the conversion of the department's Northwestern District into the 6th and 8th precincts -- the first in a move from districts to precincts citywide.

DPD spokesman John Roach declined Wednesday to reveal details before the 2 p.m. press conference. But he said the switch is part of an "overall effort to improve police response to citizens."

Under former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, the city's 12 precincts were consolidated into six districts to cut costs. Proponents of precincts say they allow for more focused patrols and quicker response time.