The dictionary defines red zone as: a red sector on a gauge or dial corresponding to conditions that exceed safety limits and a region that is dangerous or forbidden.
The term red zone or zone rouge has been applied to areas in northeastern France that the French government isolated after the First World War. The land, which originally covered more than 460 square miles was deemed to be too physically and environmentally damaged by the conflict for human habitation.
Rather than attempt to clean up the former battlefields, the land was allowed to return to nature.
By definition a red zone would make one think of a desolate, abandoned area, unsafe for human habitation. Yet many of us are presently visiting, working, shopping and or living in a red zone.
Sounds crazy right?
Regardless, its true and if you’ve ever been cruising down the Detroit side of Gratiot Ave. or have taken Kelly Rd. to get to Eastland mall then chances are you have been through the red zone.
The other day, I witnessed yet another “shootout” and unlike in the movies, it wasn’t dark and ominous, I wasn’t at an abandoned warehouse watching a deal gone wrong. I was on a residential street helping a friend unload items from her car.
It was 6 p.m. and there were a slew of children running around haphazardly—as children tend to do.
I saw what started as a fight between two young men escalate into something far more threatening. One young man went into the house and came back out. The second gentleman upon seeing him return began to run—in our direction.
As they got closer I heard: POP! POP! POP!
It sounded like kids playing with firecrackers but then I looked and saw the same guy who had just previously emerged from the house extend his arm and in his hand was a small caliber pistol. The gun was semi automatic as evidenced by the continuous shots that were being fired.
There was a young teen, leisurely riding his bike when he found himself peddling right into the path of shots being fired. Clearly startled by the situation he found himself in, he falls off his bike and stood there in what I can only assume was shock.
I stood there frozen in complete disgust but I was also standing there because my son was outside getting bags from the car when the men approached–he was trapped in the vehicle.
I had to ensure that he did not make a wrong move out of fear.
From the porch I signaled for him to get down and not to get out of the car as he was trying to do. I could see the panic on his face and rightfully so, he’s only ten years old and his reality consists of Cartoon Network, football and arguing with his little sister.
Funny thing is that the first time you witness shots being fired you are in shock; you don’t really recall what happened because you are afraid.
However, after the 3rd and 4th incident you become mildly desensitized. You see it all happening in slow motion.
I was able to tell 911 dispatch everything I saw right down to a description of the gun. I called the police and calmly described what was going on and waited for 2 hours for the cavalry to arrive…
They didn’t.
My friend told me that there was a cop car in the neighborhood about 45 minutes after I left so all is not totally lost. We also contacted Crime Stoppers to provide further information and I am hoping that something will come of this.
Quite a few people were fascinated by my recollection of that incident and of other stories that I have shared but one can never be surprised by anything you see in the red zone also known as zip code: 48205.
You would be hard pressed to find a report actually calling the area “the red zone” but illustrations seen on television of the area almost always show it highlighted in red, various news report have called it the red zone and there’s even a song called “48205’n Red Zone” by rapper J Jackson that details many of the everyday occurrences on the eastside area. The term and the area are very well known.
Project 48205
In 2011, the federal government identified the 48205 area of Detroit as the deadliest zip code in the city.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Gillooly’s Project 48205 started as a thirty-day pilot program to study crime trends. The project remains ongoing, in a continuing effort to assist local law enforcement in the area. The federal government have added resources to combat crime by creating a Violent and Organized Crime Unit and increasing the number of federal prosecutions for firearms offenses in Detroit.
“Generally, federal prosecution means heavier sentences than prosecution in the state court system, though federal prosecutions are limited to violations of federal law,” said the US Attorney’s office. “Such as felons in possession of a firearm or possession of a prohibited weapon, such as a stolen firearm or a firearm with an obliterated serial number. We believe that employing this method will still lead to a significant amount of arrests.”
Although few federal prosecutions have resulted from the increase in police presence, Project 48205 has helped law enforcement to identify issues for enforcement and prevention efforts.
For example, it has been learned that juveniles, whom typically are not prosecuted federally, commit a significant number of gun crimes in this area.
Fruits of federal labor
Since 2014, Detroit has seen a decrease in most crimes, with murders down nearly 10 percent and robberies down 33 percent from the previous year.
When Detroit Police Department released its end-of-year crime statistics in 2014 it revealed a 10 percent drop in non-fatal shootings and reductions in nearly every category of violent and property crime, including sexual assault, burglary, larceny and stolen vehicles.
Since becoming police chief in 2013, James Craig has been credited with the decrease in crime and giving the words a “safer Detroit,” some tangible evidence.
“People feel safer. It’s nice for me to recite statistics, to say we are reducing crime 10 percent. But in my view, my experience, a better gauge is, do you feel safer? Because I’m out and about in the community, I talk to people,” said Craig. “They have said to me (across the board people who live in the city and in the suburbs) they see change. To me that’s a better gauge than sitting here giving you statistics.”
The reduction in crime comes at a time of massive change for Detroit — change many people say they see as for the better. The department also pointed to other successes, such as an improved homicide case closure rate of 63 percent.
Reality Check
Despite the reduction in crime, Detroit’s numbers are still high overall: the city had 44 murders per 100,000 people last year, compared to 15 per 100,000 in Chicago and 4 per 100,000 in New York City.
FBI data showed Detroit having the highest murder rate among large cities in 2013.
“We still have work to do, and while we’re certainly excited that we’re moving in the right direction, and this is the lowest number [of total murders] since 1967, we’re not at all comfortable, and certainly we’re concerned about [all of] the victims,” said Craig.
Statistics aside, I am a huge fan of my city. I think we are a city that was once great and will soon be again.
However, real change will only happen once incidents like I witnessed the other day are no longer a part of the fabric of our community. It will take more than Craig, federal agents and government task forces for this to happen.
Those brave enough to pick up a gun and fire on their brethren–be brave enough to stand in a line and vote.
Brave enough to speak out against the social injustices that keep us economically and mentally depressed.
We should be taking shots at the poverty and illiteracy that plague us and this city.
Once the violent prone men and women of Detroit begin to show the same respect for their city as they do for the suburban cities “across 8 mile” then we will no longer have to contend with the perception of safety instead we may actually be safe.
Patreice A. Massey is a contributing writer for the Michigan Chronicle and can be contacted at 313-963-8100 ext 266 or via email: pmassey@realtimesmedia.com.
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