Thursday, January 3 2013 11:48 AM EST2013-01-03 16:48:09 GMT
He hasn't officially announced a run for Detroit mayor, but Benny Napoleon is already throwing punches. His first jab was aimed right at Mike Duggan and his neighborhood.
He hasn't officially announced a run for Detroit mayor, but Benny Napoleon is already throwing punches. His first jab was aimed right at Mike Duggan and his neighborhood.
By Amy Lange Fox 2 News
DETROIT (WJBK) -- "It was a statement regarding quality of life," Napoleon said.
Thursday, Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon clarified what he meant when he said during a recent speaking engagement that Palmer Woods is not Detroit. The upscale neighborhood is now home to former Wayne County Prosecutor and former head of the DMC Mike Duggan.
Both men are exploring a run for mayor of Detroit.
"It was just a comparison between the quality of life that exists in Palmer Woods as opposed to a different quality of life that exists throughout the rest of the city of Detroit," said Napoleon. "My statement was that is the type of quality of life that we should strive to have throughout the city of Detroit."
But he also reportedly said the city was our Detroit and we're going to keep it for Detroiters. Some call the remarks divisive and questioned whether Napoleon was somehow injecting race into the race.
"I don't know how he could make that a statement about race," he said.
Does Napoleon think it's an issue that Mike Duggan is white?
"No," he said. "The fact that someone is black or white is a non-issue. Detroiters have demonstrated over the course of time that they will vote for anybody that they believe has the best interest of Detroit at heart."
Napoleon says he does, looking to his 38 years in law enforcement as a chief, educator and sheriff, ready to focus on narcotics, violence among young people and career criminals.
"You have to focus on those people who are victimizing the community as a matter of course every single day and that will start driving your crime rate down."
With the incredibly high homicide numbers coming out on Thursday, Sheriff Napoleon was adamant that crime and public safety are the number one issues in the next mayoral election, but one thing he said has no place in this election is the issue of race.
"I'm the sheriff of 43 communities in Wayne County. It's a very diverse county and I represent all of the people of Wayne County, and there is no way I would engage in anything as divisive as interjecting race into the mayoral race. There's no place for it and I won't participate in it."
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:57:50 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:30:05 GMT
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:39 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:39:46 GMT
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
