I have entered this topic late, and I don't claim to be an expert on the issue, but it would seem that Detroit has mostly/only always had small local neighborhood gangs who worked in tiny, restricted areas - sometimes just their own street or block.

So, it wasn't like the big coastal gangs such as the Crips or Bloods, who were structured and organized and massive, with defence lawyers on speed-dial.

From what I can gather, Detroit is indeed seen as very different to other US cities - much harder [[and more dangerous) to infiltrate by anyone wanting to move in and begin hustling.

Why that is, I don't know. There's probably better cities for any self-respecting gangbangers to operate out of, anyway. If it's true that working the streets of Detroit is harder than anywhere else, the gangs know this and look for easier pickings and profits.