DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivered his annual State of the City address Tuesday night, focusing on the future of the city and opportunities for residents to get ahead.
Duggan's message was direct and to the point. Detroit is on the right track moving forward, but Detroiters still need to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
"This is the kind of city we want to build one where there is opportunity," Duggan said at East English Preparatory Academy in Detroit.
The mayor delivered his sixth State of the City address focusing on issues affecting the city like crime and how he plans to fight back and how police can better protect citizens.
"We’re going to hook the DPW cameras to the green light cameras at the end of 2020," Duggan said. "Here’s what we are going to do. If you're engaged in a shooting your engaged in a carjacking, that call is going to go out and we are going to track you."
Public safety is a big concern for residents, and was a point of focus in 7 Action News' "Detroit 911" special, which exposed problems with DPD response times and a lack of man power.
Mayor Duggan suggested during the State of the City, how to combat the problem looking ahead.
"We’re continuing to hire new police officers," he said. "Ninety-four in the academy now and I will be recommending to the council a $10 million budget increase and 70 new police positions for Chief Craig and the police department next year."
The mayor also talked about Detroit’s growth over recent years, with neighborhood redevelopment, job opportunities and job attraction.
"We had more Detroiters working than we’ve had in 10 years," Duggan said. "We’re heading in the right direction. Our property values are up for the first time in 17 years."
He added that the city is on the right path. There are new investments, new opportunities and a sense of a stronger economy, but says the city needs to keep moving forward in the right direction.
On Thursday, Duggan says he will be presenting a budget to city council. Overall, the mayor's message was received well by those in attendance. He says it’s the spirit of Detroit that will continue to make the city a destination people will want to be.
