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."
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:57:29 GMT
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:55 GMT
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:55:49 GMT
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:40 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:40:28 GMT
Tucker Cipriano, the teenager accused of attacking his family and killing his father, is set to go on trial Monday. However, we've learned his family is stepping up its fight to head off that trial.
Tucker Cipriano, the teenager accused of attacking his family and killing his father, is set to go on trial Monday. However, we've learned his family is stepping up its fight to head off that trial.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:18:12 GMT
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:53:04 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings have confirmed to FOX 2 that they have agreed to a 3 year contract extension with Pavel Datsyuk that will keep him with the team through the 2016-2017 season.
The Detroit Red Wings have confirmed to FOX 2 that they have agreed to a 3 year contract extension with Pavel Datsyuk that will keep him with the team through the 2016-2017 season.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:08 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:08:18 GMT
Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:02 AM EDT2013-06-18 13:02:29 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:44 AM EDT2013-06-18 12:44:22 GMT
DTE Energy says about 17,000 customers remain without power Tuesday after a wave of thunderstorms hit parts of southeast Michigan. GO INSIDE THE STORY TO VIEW AND ADD YOUR PHOTOS.
DTE Energy says about 20,000 customers remain without power Tuesday after a wave of thunderstorms hit parts of southeast Michigan. GO INSIDE THE STORY TO VIEW AND ADD YOUR PHOTOS.
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