Wednesday, September 5 2012 10:44 PM EDT2012-09-06 02:44:16 GMT
Wisam Zeineh is one of the most committed paramedics and vocal critics of the Detroit ambulance system. He joins at least two dozen other medics who have quit in recent weeks.
Wisam Zeineh is one of the most committed paramedics and vocal critics of the Detroit ambulance system. He joins at least two dozen other medics who have quit in recent weeks on a city government that seems to have quit on you, Detroit.
Tuesday, September 4 2012 6:18 PM EDT2012-09-04 22:18:53 GMT
When you call the police, you expect the police to come, but ever since the drastic cutbacks to Detroit Police two months ago, citizens are seeing that the police never come at all.
When you call the police, you expect the police to come, but ever since the drastic cutbacks to Detroit Police two months ago, citizens are seeing that the police never come at all.
Tourists paying to help fight Detroit's fires: Is this idea for real?More>>
Friday, September 28 2012 5:01 PM EDT2012-09-28 21:01:23 GMT
"You don't get rid of a negative image by making movies. You get rid of a negative image by fixing the problems." Read LeDuff's Off the Chain
"You don't get rid of a negative image by making movies. You get rid of a negative image by fixing the problems." Read LeDuff's Off the Chain
DETROIT (WJBK) -
Are you a firefighter from a sleepy corner of this planet? Don't feel much like a man because you don't get much action? Don't worry because you can now pay to become a Detroit firefighter for a day. Seriously.
Now don't get all hot and bothered. It's just in the planning stages.
Let me explain. Since Mayor Bing gutted the fire service, the department has been forced to close down rigs and layoff men. What to do? Here's a firecracker of an idea. Because Detroit for years has been a magnet for firefighter tourists riding along on the rigs, Commissioner Don Austin, according to his "ride-along training program" memo, is thinking, hey, why not put them to work and charge them for the privilege.
Think about it, you don't even have to pay their benefits, and what a great experience it will be for that guy from podunk. You can fight fires. It's really busy. You can help pull hose. You get to save babies. You might even get to have breakfast with a confessed murderer waiting at the fire house for the cops to come and arrest him.
Of course, no tour would be complete without coming to the fire truck graveyard.
Sound great, but some people aren't so sure.
"What about when the roof falls on the guy that's out helping. Who's going to take care of his liability part?" one firefighter said.
"That's not the answer, no. We need firefighters, our laid off guys back. That's what we need," said Darnell McLaurin with DFAA Local 344.
How does one of the laid off guys feel about being replaced by tourists?
"Tourists? Wow. Do they know what to do?" said Sam Shack.
We caught up with Fire Commissioner Don Austin at the fire truck repair shop. He told us he would call us back.
Well, the commissioner never did get back with us, but Mayor Bing's people did by text message saying that was just an internal memo and there's nothing to discuss publicly. Nothing.
But I can't blame the fire commissioner because after all those cutbacks, the only thing he does have in abundance is fire, and why not profit off it.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:25:50 GMT
Following Minister Louis Farrakhan's message on Friday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff hit the streets to scrounge around for some available investment properties, and guess what he found?
Following Minister Louis Farrakhan's message on Friday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff hit the streets to scrounge around for some available investment properties, and guess what he found?
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:45 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:45:45 GMT
Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff attended a Detroit City Council meeting. On the agenda, some questions about a developer who is being allowed to take his time paying back a $19-million dollar loan.
On Thursday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff attended a Detroit City Council meeting. On the meeting agenda, some questions about a developer with connections to city hall who received a letter that told him he was allowed to take his time paying back a $19-million dollar loan.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:16 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:16:04 GMT
Dave Bing might run for Wayne County executive, but a condition is the officer holder must be a county resident. Charlie LeDuff decides to help his old buddy out with a few options on where he can live.
Dave Bing might run for Wayne County executive, but a condition is the officer holder must be a county resident. Charlie LeDuff decides to help his old buddy out with a few options on where he can live.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:06:18 GMT
It has been six weeks since two Detroit police officers were wounded and a suspect killed during a shootout. Now some questions have arisen and they involve Detroit EMS. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff reports.
It has been six weeks since two Detroit police officers were wounded and a suspect killed during a shootout. Now some questions have arisen and they involve Detroit EMS. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff reports.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-08 22:25:04 GMT
FOX 2 has confirmed that 101-WRIF Radio morning show hosts "Drew and Mike" will be replaced by Dave and Chuck of the Freak, the former 89X duo. The last 'Drew and Mike" broadcast is scheduled for May
The last WRIF 'Drew and Mike' show will be May 17 after the duo's contract was not renewed. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff gets an exclusive interview in the parking lot of WRIF studios.
Charlie LeDuff: Off The ChainCharlie LeDuff: Off The ChainMore>>
Friday, May 3 2013 6:10 PM EDT2013-05-03 22:10:10 GMT
LeDuff: Let me offer a short list of things acting Bob Mayor Warfield can accomplish in his few remaining days in office. Things that could cement his legacy as one of Detroit's greats.
LeDuff: Let me offer a short list of things acting Bob Mayor Warfield can accomplish in his few remaining days in office. Things that could cement his legacy as one of Detroit's greats.
Sunday, April 21 2013 9:33 AM EDT2013-04-21 13:33:35 GMT
Coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings has been equally breathless and embarrassing. Spot reports from media outlets who once prided themselves on accuracy and reliability have been little better than Twitter feeds.
Coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings has been equally breathless and embarrassing. Spot reports from media outlets who once prided themselves on accuracy and reliability have been little better than Twitter feeds.
Monday, April 15 2013 7:21 AM EDT2013-04-15 11:21:31 GMT
I went to the dentist Friday morning and got my tooth drilled. My head was numb from the Novocain. I needed a place to hide where nobody would notice. I found it: Detroit city hall!
I went to the dentist Friday morning and got my tooth drilled. My head was numb from the Novocain. I needed a place to hide where nobody would notice. I found it: Detroit city hall!
Friday, April 5 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-04-06 00:43:42 GMT
Unknown to the citizens, the police officers and even the emergency manager himself, Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan was quietly conferred full chieftain status.
Unknown to the citizens, the police officers and even the emergency manager himself, Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan -- as he has been called for the past five months since Chief Ralph Godbee was bounced from office -- was quietly conferred full chieftain status.
Monday, April 1 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-04-01 13:07:47 GMT
Emmett Moten owns the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit. He owes $170,000 in back property taxes. He has until Monday at 5 p.m. to pay a portion of the back taxes or face foreclosure.
Emmett Moten owns the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit. He owes $170,000 in back property taxes. He has until Monday at 5 p.m. to pay a portion of the back taxes or face foreclosure.
Monday, March 25 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-03-25 13:52:46 GMT
Imagine Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic summoning his pursers to the wheelhouse after his ill-fated ship struck the iceberg. "Quickly gentlemen!" he shouts. "Rearrange the deck chairs. Perhaps no one will notice!"
Imagine Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic summoning his pursers to the wheelhouse after his ill-fated ship struck the iceberg. "Quickly gentlemen!" he shouts. "Rearrange the deck chairs. Perhaps no one will notice!"
Monday, March 18 2013 10:12 AM EDT2013-03-18 14:12:24 GMT
Many people are concerned about Belle Isle's future. The EFM is promising not to make any hasty decisions and to review the numbers first, but that could be a problem. There is no Belle Isle budget.
Now that Detroit has an emergency financial manager, a lot of people are concerned about the future of Belle Isle. Kevyn Orr is promising not to make any hasty decisions and to look over the numbers first, but that could be a problem. There is no Belle Isle budget.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 2:19 PM EDT2013-03-12 18:19:44 GMT
LeDuff: I don't know if an emergency manager can work in the city of Detroit. If anyone says different, they are lying. But I have to agree with one Detroiter's view, "Anything's better than what we've got right now."
LeDuff: I don't know if an emergency manager can work in the city of Detroit. If anyone says different, they are lying. But I have to agree with one Detroiter's view, "Anything's better than what we've got right now."
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Detroit fire truck (Credit: MyFox Detroit)
