A New Series Examining Crime: Detroit and Six Peer Cities
Detroit residents and voters have identified crime as a major priority for the Sheffield Administration. A recent survey of Detroiters’ views on the greatest challenges facing their households revealed that crime or safety was their most frequently cited concern, followed by neighborhood conditions and employment. Additionally, a poll of likely Detroit voters last fall found that their highest priority for the next Mayor was fighting crime, drugs, and guns followed by affordable housing, homelessness and neighborhood improvement.
This initial report presents a method for comparing Detroit with peer cities based on factors related to crime, such as population, poverty, and income. This method will allow for a data-informed comparison of Detroit crime based on cities that share similar characteristics.
Detroit Crime Peer Cities
IN A NUTSHELL
— Detroit residents have identified public safety as a top priority for the new Mayor. Public safety also plays a large role in the city’s general operating budget. Given its importance to residents and city finances, the Research Council is engaged in a multi-part, inter-city comparative research effort to examine public safety and crime. This first report uses a data-informed approach to establish Detroit’s peer cities for comparisons.
— The Research Council selected peer cities based on objective criteria that influence crime in urban areas, including large population size, low median household income, prevalent poverty, and low employment. Detroit’s six peer cities for comparison on crime trends are Milwaukee, Newark, Buffalo, Rochester, Toledo, and Cleveland.
— These peer cities will be used in future analyses of Detroit trends, such as types of crime, approaches to combat crime, and public safety budgets. The intent of this research effort is to yield new insights into crime and public safety in the city, while providing future public and local policy discussions with data to inform decision-making around this very important topic.
