Thursday, January 3 2013 11:48 AM EST2013-01-03 16:48:09 GMT
He hasn't officially announced a run for Detroit mayor, but Benny Napoleon is already throwing punches. His first jab was aimed right at Mike Duggan and his neighborhood.
He hasn't officially announced a run for Detroit mayor, but Benny Napoleon is already throwing punches. His first jab was aimed right at Mike Duggan and his neighborhood.
By Amy Lange Fox 2 News
DETROIT (WJBK) -- "It was a statement regarding quality of life," Napoleon said.
Thursday, Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon clarified what he meant when he said during a recent speaking engagement that Palmer Woods is not Detroit. The upscale neighborhood is now home to former Wayne County Prosecutor and former head of the DMC Mike Duggan.
Both men are exploring a run for mayor of Detroit.
"It was just a comparison between the quality of life that exists in Palmer Woods as opposed to a different quality of life that exists throughout the rest of the city of Detroit," said Napoleon. "My statement was that is the type of quality of life that we should strive to have throughout the city of Detroit."
But he also reportedly said the city was our Detroit and we're going to keep it for Detroiters. Some call the remarks divisive and questioned whether Napoleon was somehow injecting race into the race.
"I don't know how he could make that a statement about race," he said.
Does Napoleon think it's an issue that Mike Duggan is white?
"No," he said. "The fact that someone is black or white is a non-issue. Detroiters have demonstrated over the course of time that they will vote for anybody that they believe has the best interest of Detroit at heart."
Napoleon says he does, looking to his 38 years in law enforcement as a chief, educator and sheriff, ready to focus on narcotics, violence among young people and career criminals.
"You have to focus on those people who are victimizing the community as a matter of course every single day and that will start driving your crime rate down."
With the incredibly high homicide numbers coming out on Thursday, Sheriff Napoleon was adamant that crime and public safety are the number one issues in the next mayoral election, but one thing he said has no place in this election is the issue of race.
"I'm the sheriff of 43 communities in Wayne County. It's a very diverse county and I represent all of the people of Wayne County, and there is no way I would engage in anything as divisive as interjecting race into the mayoral race. There's no place for it and I won't participate in it."
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:57:29 GMT
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:55 GMT
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:55:49 GMT
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:00 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:00:10 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:41:47 GMT
FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
For at least the third time in a decade, FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:32 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:32:27 GMT
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
