Detroit 300 Encourages Snitching

DETROIT - There are about 3,000 Detroit Police officers to watch over more than 800,000 residents.  They can't do the job alone.  That's why they're calling on the community to get involved and to start talking.

Ice Cube rapped about it.  Others made movies about it.  Stop snitching is much more than words.  It's a code of silence criminals depend upon.

"The no snitching issue has just penetrated our community to point where it's not cool to snitch," said Rev. Angelo Henderson.

The silent streak that's allowed an unknown number of Detroit criminals to walk free is starting to crumble as residents become fed up and empowered.

Henderson is one of the organizers behind Detroit 300, a group of volunteers working with Detroit Police to get residents talking, tips flowing and criminals arrested.

"While we're here, you know you're not going to sell any drugs.  You know you're not going to set homes on fire.  You're not going to rape women," Henderson said.

"It's not the police policing the community, but it's the community and the police working together, and I think we make unbeatable team when we get together," said Interim Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee.

The chief says it was that team work that led to the arrest of Rashod Brown.  The 28-year-old Detroiter is accused of killing 35-year-old David Adams, Junior in March.  The senseless shooting went unsolved until someone in the community found the courage to break the cycle of silence.

"I never knew what the real antidote would be for the no snitching, but I realize that this is it.  This is absolutely it because people can really start to believe that they have the power to make this thing change," said Henderson.

"When we get the energy that we get from the citizens and they see results from giving us information, especially on these major crimes, it's a win-win for all of us," Godbee said.

Henderson tells us that one reason he believes Detroit 300 is so successful is because he believe people in the community feel more comfortable talking with the volunteers rather than the police.  If you want to get involved, visit www.wchbnewsdetroit.com for more information.