Note-taking by
Damien Benson
Interim Police Chief Todd Bettison said he plans to release body cam footage of Sherman Butler being killed to the Board of Police Commissioners. Also, Cure Auto Insurance CEO Eric Poe said that his company raised rates because of predatory towing companies' excessive fees.
Live reporting by
Nathaniel Eichenhorn
Interim Police Chief Todd Bettison said he plans to release body cam footage of Sherman Butler being killed to the Board of Police Commissioners. Also, Cure Auto Insurance CEO Eric Poe said that his company raised rates because of predatory towing companies' excessive fees.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
2/46
About to get started here in a minute
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
3/46
The mic setup is real wonky today. A lot of echo going on, I'll do my best
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
4/46
As they do not have a quorum, they are going to start with public comment.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
5/46
First commenter tells a tragic story of a certain citizen, apparently a preacher, who has been making his two young children sleep on his porch in the freezing cold.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
6/46
According to the commenter, the police were unable to do anything as there is no specific statute forbidding this behavior. She asked the board to do research into if such an ordinance does or does not exist and if not to advocate for one
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
7/46
Interim police chief Bettison responded that the matter had come to the attention of the police, and that CPS is involved and the children are out of the house.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
8/46
Minister Eric Blount commented next. He expressed his outrage that the bailiff in the Sherman Lee Butler case. He pointedly implied commissioner Woods is corrupt, saying "What have they got on you... Woods?"
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
10/46
The next commenter traveled to Lansing to advocate for safe driving and better traffic enforcement . Chief Bettison responded he is very concerned with the issue of reckless driving in Detroit, and several commissioners committed to traveling to Lansing to further the advocacy.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
11/46
The next commenter is alleging her local block club is harassing her. She was referred to the office of the chief investigator for help.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
12/46
The next commenter mentioned "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" and mentioned that many are lucky enough not to have had such encounters
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
13/46
It later became clear she was referring to reckless driving, not contact with extraterrestrials.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
14/46
They have a quorum, so they called the meeting to order and approved the last meeting's minutes and agenda.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
15/46
Comm'r Woods introduced a presentation on the state of auto insurance in the city.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
16/46
The presenter, Eric Poe, CEO of CURE Auto Insurance, says that the average rate in Detroit is $6k a year, and in, for example, Philadelphia, the rate is closer to $700
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
17/46
He goes on to claim that abuses in the towing industry, and alleged that a few large towing companies are illegally charging exorbitant fees to the insurance card now ied, which has led to multiple rate increases in a short time.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
18/46
Here's how the scam works: Detroit has ordinances limiting tow costs. So these guys tow to JUST OUTSIDE the city limits (Southfield, etc) and charge truly goofy amount. Average is $3k. Poe brought an example of an $11k bill.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
19/46
Poe says insurance companies won't write policies for Detroiters because they don't want to deal with this racket.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
20/46
Poe suggests cops have people check a box saying they decline a police authorized tow.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
21/46
Comm'r Bernard says this matter must become more widely known and Chief Bettison said the police are doing what they can, and suggests we "stay tuned"
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
22/46
Poe jokingly asked for a bulletproof vest. Honestly sounded only half joking. Comm'r Woods said he was being facetious but it's not NOT a concern. This is a big racket and messing with it could be dangerous
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
23/46
Can you imagine getting your car towed for a check engine light, and they hold your car hostage for ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS?
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
24/46
Comm'r Burton described going to a Tigers game and seeing a line of tow trucks waiting to start taking cars.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
25/46
Not Burton, Bernard said that, my apologies
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
26/46
There's a Bernard, Banks, Bell and a Burton on this board. It gets challenging, is what I'm saying.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
27/46
Both Burton and Bell are Willie E. Just saying.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
28/46
The board quickly and unanimously approved a motion on the retirement of DPD Captain Conway Petty
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
29/46
Moving on to the Chief of Police report. Crime rates are remaining steady. Highlight: 131 carjackings this year, down from 150 last year and a steady drop from an earlier era of common carjackings.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
30/46
Comm'r Woods praised Bettison for his advocacy of several police accountability bills before the state legislature
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
31/46
Comm'r Bernard suggested that citizens be better advised of their rights in terms of police interactions and acquiring incident reports, especially concerning domestic violence.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
32/46
The Chief's report having concluded, they are going back to public comment
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
33/46
A commenter says she has been harassed by a specific police officer, who she named. She also claimed the captain of the relevant precinct threatened her
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
34/46
Next commenter said that a police officer who harassed her has been charged with brandishing a firearm, and the commenter feels that is a light charge. They were referred to the prosecutor's office
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
35/46
Next commenter said he designed an app to help with the towing issue, and he said he needs help to launch it, and he says he is being stonewalled
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
36/46
The next commenter said her sister was injured in an auto accident and was told by the 8th precinct, apparently, that they "don't do" auto accidents. She says the police are chronically uninformed about basic facts and asks for help.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
37/46
Next commenter praised the DPD and Comm'r Burton called for a round of applause for the police
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
39/46
Comm'r Bell says that the board have STILL not received the body cam footage from the Sherman Butler shooting. Chief Bettison simply says he plans to share it with them in the future
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
40/46
Former Commissioner William Davis called in to protest the victimization of the citizenry by the aforementioned towing companies.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
41/46
Public comment being over, they're moving on to oral communications. Just housekeeping, next meeting, etc.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
42/46
Now they're hearing reports from the various subcommittees
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
43/46
Comm'r Hernandez tried to submit the Finance Committees budget recommendation. Comm'r Burton walked out in protest, to the distinct displeasure of the chairman. The item was moved to Unfinished Business.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
44/46
Since they lost the quorum, they quickly voted to adjourn. Woods is upset. Said these kinds of stunts are an affront to the people of Detroit. Comm'r Bernard says Burton didn't deserve to get criticized like that. She was starting to say something else when the motion passed.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
45/46
Well folks, this closes my coverage of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners meeting for December 5th. Learn more about our coverage of local meetings at documenters.org
documenters.org
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
46/46
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