Detroit City Wire

On a recent episode of "The Frank Beckmann Show," Police Chief James Craig was featured as the interview subject on the topic of law enforcement and recent protests by those he calls "outside agitators."

“What we are not going to allow — not here in Detroit — is one: you’re not just going to take over, make a demand that federal agents must leave now,” Craig told Beckmann. “This is not Seattle. We’re not going to have what they call a 'no-cop zone.' That is not an option.”

Craig said that Detroit residents do not want a lack of police presence and explained that the police in the city have been extremely patient, despite the many protests that have taken place over the last few months. 

Detroit Police Chief James Craig | City of Detroit

“This group does not speak for Detroiters, period. When you talk about defunding the police, Detroiters don’t want that. They understand what defunding looks like: laying off police officers. They want more police officers. Dismantling the police department is not an option,” Craig said on the radio program.

Craig explained that Seattle’s experiment of a police-free area shows the same type of result that would come from defunding the police in other areas. 

“Police officers retreated from their police station. They took over, I want to say, six city blocks during this ‘summer of love’ event. Several people were fatally shot. Police officers were not allowed to go in and do investigative work. What good is that? How does that honor the memory of Mr. Floyd? Because here is what I know... this is not about Mr. Floyd,” Craig told Beckmann.

Craig believes that the parties that are promoting violence and public disturbances are certainly doing far more harm than good and not bringing whatever change may be needed. 

“For those who have good intentions, they allow these outsiders to come in and hijack their message. Shame on you,” Craig said on the radio program.

Craig said that when looking at the facts, it is impossible to deny that the disruption being brought about by protesters is harming the well-being of Detroit residents.