EASTPOINTE, Mich (WXYZ) — Residents are concerned in Eastpointe after a string of violent crimes at homes and businesses.
On Thursday night, about 300 people showed up to a public safety meeting at city hall. The crowd voiced frustrations to law enforcement leaders and were given the option to join a neighborhood watch group.
Father: “My son is hiding in his room beside his bed because the shots seem like they're coming in the house." Eastpointe residents outrage about the crime in their neighborhood. Law enforcement reacts — our story airs at 11 on @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/AEcBOclCYl
— Rudy Harper (@RudyHarperWXYZ) May 17, 2019
"I've lived at this house for ten years," said one resident. "And I've never been this afraid in my house."
The Eastpointe father told the crowd his family lives in terror. He says the violence near his home is out of control.
"Shooting one night, murder the next night," the frustrated resident told an officer.
He said he loses sleep at night because he worries he can't protect his young son.
"My son is hiding in his room beside his bed because the shots seem like they're coming in the house," he explained.
A officer told the packed crowd, "I feel your pain."
The goal at the meeting was to first establish those residents who want to join a watch group. There will be more meetings in the future focused on ways to reduce crime, create safer neighborhoods and ways to connect with officers.
"The purpose of the neighborhood watch is to bring people in the community together to lookout for one another and to work with their police department to keep the city safe," Eastpointe Deputy Police Chief Eric Keiser said.
Cop: “Raise your hand if you’ve been a victim of a crime.” About 300 people showed up to a sudden Eastpointe neighborhood watch meeting after a string of home break-ins and auto thefts. @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/fMPyTxVrlI
— Rudy Harper (@RudyHarperWXYZ) May 16, 2019
Residents will also have access to police reports on the website: www.crimemapping.com. You will need to enter Eastpointe's zipcode.
Eastpointe resident Danielle Gaston showed up tonight in response to her 78-year-old neighbor, who woke up to a man in home around 4 a.m. Police report the suspect robbed her of many valuables.
"If we can't look out for our elderly and we're getting elderly, who is going to look out for us," Gatson said.
After the public safety meeting, resident Mike Schulmeister thinks it will get better.
"Its going to be a little bit better here in Eastpointe," he said.
Eastpointe city leaders have approved the hiring of four new officers.
"What we saw at the meeting was approximately 300 people that want to make a difference and make Eastpointe better. It is unacceptable to us that some residents feel unsafe going out in public. We will do everything in our power to keep our residents safe. It is essential that everyone feels safe to live, shop, travel, and play in Eastpointe. We will accomplish that goal by working with our citizens to let everyone know criminal behavior is not tolerated in Eastpointe," Keiser added.
