A wild scene Saturday at an event meant to help families get affordable housing. At least four people were arrested when things got hostile between a crowd of thousands and Taylor police.
Click on the video player to watch Robin Schwartz's report.
Cell phone video shows a man being thrown to the ground during one of the arrests, as an estimated 4,000 people crowded the parking lot of the Taylor Human Services Center on Eureka Rd. People were lining up for Section 8 housing vouchers. Some waited all night. When it came time for the vouchers to be handed out, things got out of control!
"They started shifting us off the sidewalk," said one witness.
"It was a mess! This is ridiculous," added Fatimah McGee. "People have been standing here since 6, 7 o'clock [last night] and they still can't get an application."
Fox 2 video shows police moving the massive crowd away from the building. We're told earlier, people made a mad rush for the door and were pushing and shoving to get in. At some point, organizers shut things down and turned off the lights; that's when things got even worse.
"The lights go out and people just started going crazy and it's messed up they gonna cancel it," said one woman.
"Kids [were] out here, old people, pregnant women - it was unfair," added another.
We saw one police officer pick up a baby and move it away from the crowd. When the mother complained, she got arrested. Some blame the crowd, some blame organizers saying they were unprepared for the large turnout, others blame police. Caught in the middle are thousands of people in dire situations who genuinely need assistance.
"It hurts me that we have to be in a situation like this," said one woman who declined to give her name. "A lot of people came from a long way to come here to try to get help and they turned their back on us."
Thankfully, no one was hurt. The Taylor Housing Commission tells us details are still being worked out, but the event will be rescheduled.
"Due to the high demand of the Section 8 vouchers, we will meet with HUD representatives to discuss the series of events, re-evaluate the distribution method and implement a process that ensures a greater level of efficiency and safety," said the housing commission director in a press release. "The Taylor Housing Commission regrets that the event had to be canceled."."
Monday, May 20 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:51:26 GMT
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:22 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:22:48 GMT
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
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Monday, May 13 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:19:48 GMT
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
Saturday, May 11 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-12 01:28:26 GMT
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing was among dozens of volunteers who came out to clean up various neighborhoods Saturday. It was all part of Motor City makeover, now in it's second weekend.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:38 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:38:56 GMT
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:28 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:28:15 GMT
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:17:02 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:02:09 GMT
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:59:19 GMT
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:14:08 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
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Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:30 GMT
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
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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.
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