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Comments: 1097 • Responses: 42  • Date: 

reFOUNTAINel116 karma

That's what I'm saying but it's hard due to all the Mercin and doin time.

nice_username197 karma

How do you feel about marijuana

Talk to me

reFOUNTAINel487 karma

[deleted]

dolphinesque218 karma

Have you ever heard of LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition)? A very good organization doing great work!

reFOUNTAINel161 karma

No. I am stoked to check this out now. Thank you.

mielamor194 karma

Hey I just want to say thank you for your hard work! I love Detroit and think there are a lot of amazing people and things there. Thank you for protecting a place I come from!

reFOUNTAINel142 karma

I appreciate it!

shoegazed187 karma

Thanks for doing this! I grew up in Detroit and can only imagine what your job is like. I have 2 questions for you.

  1. In your opionion, what is the roughest area/neighborhood of Detroit?
  2. What is the craziest thing you've ever seen on the job?

reFOUNTAINel534 karma

Roughest is probably Eastern District. 8 mile to 94, Van Dyke to Gratiot.

Most crazy thing I have seen would be a failed suicide attempt where their front are of their face was blown off but them still breathing.

a20sidedninja173 karma

First, I want to say that living in Detroit is the first time I've felt the police were there for my protection, and not to make the city money. Thank you.

Secondly, as a Corktown resident, what are some things I absolutely should do to stay safe?

reFOUNTAINel84 karma

Corktown is awesome. If I had to live in the city, that's where I would be.

MR_BBQ164 karma

Ever been called out to Hardcore Pawn? There seems to be a lot of fights in that shop.

reFOUNTAINel330 karma

Ha. Nope. Don't work in that area. I tried to watch that show once and think I made it about 3 minutes.

Fa_Q_2163 karma

[deleted]

reFOUNTAINel347 karma

All the time man. Unfortunately the economy is rough and the job market is not here. I have a girlfriend and a child on the way to worry about.

cronikkk154 karma

Are there any parts of Detroit that you just don't patrol because they're so bad?

reFOUNTAINel363 karma

No. We go everywhere.

TheNameIsBootsyBaby111 karma

Where's the best mom & pop restaurant in Detroit, and what do you like to eat there?

reFOUNTAINel231 karma

Suppinos pizza in Eastern Market is awesome. Unfortunately I work 7p-7a so most places are closed when we want to eat. Polish Village is a main stay when we have time too.

jvo5512 karma

If you work 12 hours a day do you still work the normal 5 days a week? If so, that totally sucks.

reFOUNTAINel46 karma

One week I only work wed/thur and the next week those are my only days off.

_warning104 karma

Are you aware of any corruption that goes on within the police force? How many officers would you say have been a part of this "dirty" activity?

reFOUNTAINel162 karma

I haven't seen any but I'm not in a position to. If someone was about that life they wouldn't be doing it around me.

nkronck98 karma

s it true that speeding/red lights aren't even worth pulling people over for with everything else going on? Have heard that urban DET streetlights can be treated essentially as stop signs. Do you feel overwhelemed since there is a shortage of officers?

As for proof, just scroll down and on the right side you'll see a box of moderators and click 'message the moderators'. The Red Wings just snagged a playoff spot tonight as well!

reFOUNTAINel218 karma

I would say 75% of the time you could get away with rolling a red or stop sign. The problem being that in a city with 1900 officers, you never know when you catch one who will write you the ticket every time. Easy answer is the odds are in your side, but don't get upset if you end up an unlucky one.

In terms of officer shortages, I am extremely overwhelmed. We are constantly chasing runs for 12 hours. We usually have 20 runs waiting for us when we start and never catch up. There is basically no time to really give each run the attention it deserves without leaving another citizen out there in trouble.

crazymf12388 karma

What is the worst street corner in terms of number of crimes committed?

reFOUNTAINel201 karma

7 mile/Van Dyke. John R/7 mile. Southfield/joy rd. anywhere with a bus stop and gas station really.

TonyLokes76 karma

Is it true that some of the squad cars aren't properly equipped with necessary things like a computer? And if they are, do they even work most of the time, or have you had ones without working computers/dashboard cameras?

reFOUNTAINel143 karma

This used to be the case but most of us out on patrol answering runs have functioning computers and cameras. Cameras and body mics are a huge deal that is very important to administration. 3 years ago we def barely had a working computer.

squeak6666yw76 karma

I read somewhere you have a rampant vigilante violence(it was specifically noted as justified homicides i believe). What is your opinion of more citizens going armed and shooting to kill?

http://www.thedaily.com/page/2012/02/05/020512-news-detroit-vigilantes-1-5/

reFOUNTAINel228 karma

If I was a citizen I wouldn't be caught without a gun on me. With that said some people get a little reckless thinking they can shoot people for stealing their rims. That's when it goes a bit far. I'm all for armed citizens when it's done right.

MeAndMyElectrons74 karma

I have noticed that a lot of people don't stop and wait or don't stop at all at red lights during night time hours in Detroit. In your opinion is this cultural or is it because they don't feel safe.

reFOUNTAINel107 karma

Don't feel safe combined with knowing they probably won't be stopped.

cheftlp122166 karma

Why Detroit PD and not one of the suburbs?

reFOUNTAINel216 karma

They were hiring. I never wanted to be the type of officer who writes tickets. I was under the impression I could help the city.

Tacdeho62 karma

Welcome to Reddit!

A good way to prove your identity is to perhaps censor your badge number and post a photo of it. Identity protection, first!

My questions are of the following:

  • What's the roughest thing you've experienced on the job?

  • How bad is crime in Detroit as opposed to how it was twenty years ago?

reFOUNTAINel175 karma

Worst thing. If I were to get specific, dead children.

In a more broad sense, the whole environment is just extremely negative. The situations are always horrible, our bosses and coworkers are always miserable. Just being surrounded by complete negativity for 12 hours a day is the worst part of the job.

I wasn't working 20 years ago so I wouldn't be the right one to compare but I can say that it is extremely bad right now.

pihbandscream90 karma

My whole family is from Detroit. My Grandfather was a Detroit Police officer and his brother was a fire fighter during the riots in the 60's. They both agree Detroit is almost beyond saving at this point.

reFOUNTAINel191 karma

When asked I basically say that it will be two cities. With Dan Gilbert and all that money, downtown will be awesome in a decade. Everything else will be worse than it is now.

oneironautkiwi59 karma

Were you an officer before the auto companies started pulling out? If so, in your opinion how has it changed over the years?

reFOUNTAINel125 karma

I was not. Without being specific, I have a little more than 5 years working. I can say that to a man you will hear every veteran officer say it has never been worse.

whodatbe2453 karma

What area do you work? Do you enjoy your job?

reFOUNTAINel139 karma

I would rather not get that specific but I don't work downtown.

I try to break my job down into little instances. Most I dislike, but deep down I love helping people are stopping a terrifying situation for them. That part is extremely awesome.

relaytheurgency48 karma

[deleted]

reFOUNTAINel82 karma

The Wire for sure. The politics and management nightmares are spot on.

pixiefodder43 karma

[deleted]

reFOUNTAINel72 karma

A lot. Look at an area such as Corktown. So much creativity and ambition with the means to flourish. Detroit has some of the most creative people in the world. I think the arts are one way back.

3fingerapache43 karma

whats to stop you or the other detroit cops form getting a police job in a less shitty city? some low crime suburb in utah or north dakota or something?

reFOUNTAINel91 karma

Nothing. A ton of officers are leaving right now. The only thing holding people back is a lack of available jobs. Economy is rough in Michigan. Most departments are scaling back and laying off.

sadsquash42 karma

Is it true that you guys get 911 calls that you simply don't have enough officers to respond to in a timely manner? I seem to remember hearing that even same day response times in Detroit are only for dire emergencies.

reFOUNTAINel63 karma

Yes. There are calls that go unanswered or not within 5-10 hours. Any run were someone is in danger will be answered tho.

SerialRomeo40 karma

Hey dude- I'd love to buy you and your growing fam dinner. Anyway I can send you a gift card for anywhere of your choosing?

Anyway, here is my question: Have the police from other areas been coordinating with you guys more? I know a lot of the crime has been spilling out into the suburbs.

Back when I used to live there, it seemed like everyone in the burbs just tried to ignore the problems in the city and stick to their own petty agendas. I hope they're helping out more now.

reFOUNTAINel13 karma

I personally do not work with any other agencies. I'm sure investigative units do branch out.

Ifriendzonecats38 karma

Any stories you wish the local news would cover more/less? Anything you think should be getting more national attention?

reFOUNTAINel76 karma

Yes. The closings of parks, libraries, youth centers, ext. How that is going to effect crime in the next 5-10 years.

SomeoneInThisTown25 karma

What level of education must you be to become a police officer? What level of education are you specifically?

reFOUNTAINel42 karma

We will hire with just a high school diploma. I have a two year degree.

reFOUNTAINel24 karma

This is pretty overwhelming. I didn't think there would be as much interest as there is. Sorry for any typos or improper grammar. I use the Internet on my phone and am doing the best I can.

BigBlackHungGuy23 karma

Are the blue pigs still playing?

I grew up with them before I left.

reFOUNTAINel35 karma

Ha I have no idea about this. Sorry.

rm-rfstar23 karma

The hardest part of doing the right thing is that sometimes you do it all by yourself. Thank you for sticking with it. The city needs you and is grateful even when they don't communicate that very well or often.

How do most officers handle the stress? How much do you see alcoholism, divorce, domestic violence, gambling, suicide, etc as a consequence of your jobs daily exposure to the very worst behavior of humankind?

I believe that it must take a very specific set of skills, personality traits and self-control to not forget the humanity of those you serve. How do you do it? How do your fellow officers do it? Do you talk to each other about the way this job has changed your view of people? Are there support systems in place to help with the effects of your experiences or are you all on your own?

Source: Husband is a retired officer from Warren and managed to deal pretty well with the experience, but has stories of others who were not so fortunate. It is not an easy thing to show up where more often than not you are going to have to meet and manage people who are already pissed off. Thank you for your service.

reFOUNTAINel29 karma

Alcoholism, infidelity(a big one), meds. A lot of divorce. Some domestic violence. Suicide has happened a few times recently.

My partner and I discuss life and our views all day. I imagine we are each others therapist in a way. I do see a psychiatrist but he is more of a prescription guy. I met with a psychologist a few times but really didn't get any value out of it.

I spend a lot of time with my family and friends. I surround myself with loving and good hearted people. I avoid negative environments like the plague when I'm not at work. Despite all the crime and poverty I see, I know everyday I am going to see or talk to people I love. That's what keeps me sane.

jwd6f6f623 karma

In a city that birthed EmineM, and ICP; is it hard to not want to be RoboCop once and awhile?

reFOUNTAINel75 karma

I would rather be Rorschach.

Erix8119 karma

Is the police situation over there as bad as the fire situation?

reFOUNTAINel39 karma

We're all in the same boat. Those guys have it bad too.

Scrotasticle19 karma

What would you say most of your calls are about? From what I hear most of them are domestics? Also I read an article that there is a mafia family still in Detroit. Has there been any issues with them that you have heard of/experince? Thanks bro be safe.

reFOUNTAINel48 karma

Most calls are domestic. No mafia problem as far as I can say. No street kid would give them the time of day if they tried muscling in.

sparrowmint16 karma

Opinions on Charlie LeDuff?

reFOUNTAINel26 karma

Charlie is the man!

this-wonderful-life14 karma

Do you live within metro Detroit? What do you think about the residency laws for firefighters and police? A good family friend retired as a captain in the DFD, and this is one of the topics we kick around a lot. He used to have a straw apartment he kept on the books for show back in the day, so I'm not completely naive.

reFOUNTAINel30 karma

If they brought back residency people would quit.

saintff5 karma

Do you know Robocop?

reFOUNTAINel15 karma

No personally. But a girl I know. Him and her got..it...on.

altqq5 karma

as someone who used to live in detroit i thank you for your services. Really.

question: how do you feel about being videotaped in public? assuming the person taping is not interfering with your job. Whats the general consensus among officers?

reFOUNTAINel7 karma

I can only speak for myself and I have no issue with it. I always conduct myself with compassion and proper morals. Has nothing to do with being police but I treat people how they should be and when situations do turn negative I know what I'm doing is still the right way I was trained to. Basically if you are not doing something wrong it shouldn't matter.