DPD Virtual Precincts Put on Temporary Hold

DETROIT (WJBK) - We were supposed to see Detroit's "Virtual Precinct" rolled out city-wide Monday night, but we were told it's still a few days away.

So what's the hold up?

The plan was a virtual precinct. Smaller staffs inside at night would allow more boots to patrol the streets.

The Detroit Police Precincts would still operate and serve as a safe haven for someone in distress, but the doors would be locked from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. in order to provide more patrol officers.

"The greater need in Detroit is to have more police officers actively patrolling our communities," said Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee.

But the virtual precincts are on hold for two more days. Sources are saying that veteran officers who were doing desk duty have not yet completed training to get back on the street.

It's sort of a mini boot camp, a refresher in dealing with stressful scenes and performing police work with modern techniques. Right now the target date for the virtual precincts is Wednesday, Feb. 8.