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People Are Hiring Private Police Squads in Detroit

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In 2013, the city of Detroit filed for bankruptcy.

As a result, budget and pay cuts have since pushed police officers toward better paying opportunities outside the city, and private security companies have rushed into the city.

Now, private security is a booming industry in Detroit. The largest contractor has reported 25% year-over-year growth since the city’s bankruptcy.

VICE News spoke to Dale Brown, an ex-army paratrooper, who began teaching his own brand of self defense in the early 90’s and started his own Detroit-based security company called Threat Management Center in 2000. Brown says his 60-person VIPER force has more than 5,000 private citizens as clients along with 100 businesses. Altogether, the company brings in about two million dollars a year.

“Our goal is to create conditions where violence does not occur,” Brown said. “We deter violent criminal behavior by projecting strength. So our vehicles have all white strobe lights. Our vehicles are black and chrome. There’s a strong sense that there’s a strong organization that’s protecting these people.”

The impact of private security on the crime rate in Detroit is unclear.

“Do we think that security guards who are visible in neighborhoods deter crime? Yes,” said Detroit Police Chief James Craig, who was appointed almost six years ago. “Can security guards replace police officers? No.”

What are private police squads and why are they becoming popular in Detroit, Michigan?

In recent months, private police squads have become a hot commodity in Detroit, Michigan. With a police force that is overburdened and under-resourced, many businesses and residents have turned to private security firms to provide protection and surveillance in their communities.

These private police squads are made up of trained and licensed individuals who have the authority to enforce the law and make arrests, just like any other police officer. However, unlike traditional law enforcement agencies, private security firms are hired by individuals or organizations and are typically not funded by taxpayer money.

The rise of private police squads in Detroit is a direct response to the city’s high crime rate and understaffed police force. In recent years, Detroit has consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, with high rates of violent crime, property crime, and robbery. The city’s police force has been unable to keep up with the demand for their services, leaving many residents and business owners feeling unsafe and vulnerable.

Private police squads offer a solution to this problem by providing additional security and protection to those who need it most. These squads often work closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure that their activities are legal and effective, and they are trained to respond to a wide range of emergency situations.

Some private police squads in Detroit have even gone so far as to install surveillance cameras and other security measures in neighborhoods and businesses. This added layer of protection helps to deter crime and makes it easier for law enforcement to identify and apprehend suspects.

While the rise of private police squads in Detroit may seem like a positive development, some critics have raised concerns about their potential for abuse. Without proper oversight and regulation, private security firms could pose a threat to civil liberties and legal protections. Additionally, there are concerns about the lack of accountability and transparency within these organizations.

Despite these concerns, private police squads are likely to remain a fixture in the Detroit community for the foreseeable future. As long as the city’s crime rate remains high and its police force continues to be stretched thin, individuals and organizations will continue to seek out alternative forms of security and protection. However, it is important that these private security firms operate within the bounds of the law and are held accountable for their actions in order to ensure that they are not doing more harm than good.