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Detroit block party scrutiny should have come months ago, after teen was killed | Opinion

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5 months ago

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Detroit block party scrutiny should have come months ago, after teen was killed | Opinion


Darrren A. Nichols
 |  Contributing columnist

The May 18 shooting of Taylor Gladney should have been the Detroit Police Department’s first warning that the city needed to crack down on large gatherings at houses during the summer.

Taylor, 17, wanted to hang out that Saturday night with other teenagers. It was an annual event held in different areas in the city. Her mom, LeCretia McCollough, was apprehensive, but decided to let her go.

Less than an hour later, Taylor was shot and on May 22, her family took her off of life support, ending her life.

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“I’m upset at myself for allowing her to go because of the outcome, but we can’t predict the future or what’s going to happen,” McCollough says. “People get upset (and) they want the families to feel what I’m feeling, but my heart won’t allow me to do so. I would never wish this pain on anybody, but you want answers.”

Detroit police announce block party crackdown after 21 people shot

Now her family, still mourning, is left wondering whether the city should have made moves to curtail neighborhood violence before an astounding 27 people were shot at six Detroit parties during the long Fourth of July weekend.

Taylor’s May shooting, which occurred on Manning Street near Gratiot Avenue, was only a few blocks from the worst of last weekend’s shootings, where 21 were shot Saturday at a party near Rossini Drive and Reno Street, two of them killed.

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More: Detroit block party mass shooting was the state’s worst since at least 2013

“That’s the very frustrating part. I’m angry about (last weekend) because I’m quite sure (police) knew that there was a party going on,” says Taylor’s father Tyrell Gladney.

“I don’t know what police can do, except for when they see a super large gathering, just put some presence there. Just sit there, because that’s not going to stop a family — just having a party — have a party. (But) it will probably stop the guys that’s coming around, just shooting up the parties for no reason. Every time I look at my daughter I have to cry and I get angry.”

The infrequent police presence bothers me, and should annoy anyone else who intimately cares for this city, that it took Police Chief James White and Mayor Mike Duggan so long to roll out their new plan for these “block parties” in city neighborhoods.

Taylor was set to be a senior at University Prep High School, the same school she attended since fifth grade. Her mom says Taylor is the loving, cuddling type of child who rarely got upset with people and was called the mother among her group of friends. The cheerleader also loved her hair and wanted to be presentable at all times.

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“She was just full of life,” says LeCretia McCollough, who’s lost 30 pounds since Taylor’s death. “This pain is indescribable. I am having a hard time, because even at 17, my daughter was such a hugger and cuddler.

“I still wait (for) her at night to come get in the bed with me because she wanted to be rubbed on or she is cold and wanted my body heat. So, I’m having a hard time, especially at night.”

That’s what infuriates me. The city had a chance to come up with a plan months ago and blew it.

But let’s be clear: these are not typical block parties that many of us are used to where the block is shut down at each corner and neighbors gather for an afternoon of fun.

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These are more like street parties where young people take over a block, or gatherings at a person’s house where loud music and people spill into the front lawn or other areas of a neighborhood.

Whatever you want to call them, swift action could have been taken months before last weekend’s incidents. There were over 500 calls since May warning that this was getting out of control, police acknowledged.

Instead, this city — which touts a major comeback — waited until Monday to get results from its leaders.

I’m sure I’m not alone in saying we want a proactive city government — not one that comes out with plans in the aftermath of international headlines.

By then, it’s too late. Too many lives have been lost, whether it was Taylor or Elijah Reese, a sophomore at East English Village Preparatory Academy who was killed on his way home from school May 22 in the same neighborhood.

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“I didn’t know anything about a ‘red zone’ until my daughter’s situation,” Tyrell Gladney says. “They said that area is known for high crime. If you’re known for high crime, put (in a) high police presence.”

What I’m not understanding is why the Detroit Police Department has not implemented any of what was put in place after a major shooting in 2015, where one man was killed and nine others were injured during a party at a basketball court on the west side.

Police officials and city spokesman John Roach did not respond to an email seeking comment for this story.

Twila Moss, who is Taylor’s aunt, is still upset that there has been little action to help people who are legitimately just trying to have fun.

“I guess I’m angry … Angry, sad and mad at the same time,” Moss says. (I’m) angry that it’s happening to so many of our youth.

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“But the way I’ve been hearing it, it’s more like it’s someone else that’s coming to the party or shooting up these parties when it’s not really the people that’s at the parties. So do we not allow our kids to go out? Do we not allow them to have fun? Do we not have a gathering?”

What angers Tyrell Gladney the most is infrequent communication about his daughter’s killing, for which no one has been charged.

“I understand they have to get leads and stuff like that, but in my daughter’s situation, it took them a minute to come speak to us,” Tyrell Gladney says. “I haven’t or heard a whole lot either unless I reach out to them. (But) I understand the situation is tedious and there’s a lot going on with more shootings every other weekend.”

Having Detroiters safe in their neighborhoods is the most fundamental function of a city government.

Taylor’s killing should have been the start of putting plans in place, not nearly two months later.

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By then — we learned the hard way Saturday night — it was too late.

Darren A. Nichols is a contributing columnist at the Free Press. He can be reached at darren@dnick-media.com or his X (formerly Twitter) handle @dnick12.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.



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Detroit, MI

Financial Constraints Could Prevent Detroit Tigers From Landing Dream Player

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2 hours ago

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November 24, 2024

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Financial Constraints Could Prevent Detroit Tigers From Landing Dream Player


The Detroit Tigers are coming into the offseason looking to improve after a shockingly great 2024 campaign.

Nobody saw the Tigers coming in 2024, as they went on to have one of the best second halves of a season in a long time. They were able to ride that momentum right into the playoffs, and they defeated the Houston Astros in the Wild Card Round.

When looking at the Detroit roster, it was pretty clear that manager A.J. Hinch did a magnificent job finding ways to win games. While he had the luxury of Tarik Skubal pitching every five days, there wasn’t much else in the starting rotation after trading away Jack Flaherty.

This winter, the Tigers will have the opportunity to add to a young roster that achieved a lot in 2024.

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While they had a lot of success last year, there are some areas that the team can improve upon. One of which is at third base.

Hitting was an issue at times for Detroit in 2024, as they need to become more consistent if they want to take the next step forward in 2025.

Recently, Jason Beck of MLB.com spoke about Alex Bregman being a great fit for the Tigers. However, he highlighted that financial constraints could hold the franchise back from their dream target.

“While the on-field fit with Bregman is obvious, the financial fit is another matter. The Tigers have not been a team for bidding wars; even under the late owner Mike Ilitch, they were more active finding undervalued or overlooked free agents (Pudge Rodriguez, Magglio Ordonez, Kenny Rogers) than outbidding teams for highly-sought talent. There’s a ton of payroll space in Detroit, but the Tigers just got past one long-term deal that didn’t age well (Miguel Cabrera), and still have Javier Báez for three more years. President of baseball operations Scott Harris has been more attracted to shorter-term deals and long-term flexibility, both in Detroit and in his previous job as Giants general manager. He might have to weigh how much he wants to stretch a deal to get Bregman”

Adding the gold glove third baseman would be a really good move for the Tigers for multiple reasons. As a good hitter and fielder, Bregman was able to total an impressive WAR once again last year. With three straight seasons of a WAR over 4.0, the slugger is extremely consistent.

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In addition to what he can do on the field, Bregman has a ton of experience in the league and in the playoffs. This can only help a young Tigers team that entered uncharted waters last season.

While he certainly makes sense for Detroit, he is going to be one of the highest paid free agents this offseason wherever he goes. It is very possible that the financial side of things could be the reason why they don’t get their dream target.



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Detroit, MI

How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts – NFL: Week 12 | Channel, stream, preview

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11 hours ago

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November 24, 2024

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How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts – NFL: Week 12 | Channel, stream, preview


INDIANAPOLIS — The Detroit Lions will look to keep up their winning ways on Sunday as they face a hungry Indianapolis Colts team looking to keep their playoff hopes alive.

  • Watch the NFL on FuboTV (7-day free trial)

Detroit Lions (9-1) vs. Indianapolis Colts (5-6)

  • When: Sunday, November 24
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Where: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis. Ind.)
  • Channel: FOX­­
  • Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), DirecTV Stream, Sling

The Lions put together a historic effort last Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In a 52-6 drubbing, Detroit recorded a franchise-record 645 yards of total offense and 38 first downs. Jared Goff had a much-needed bounce-back game, throwing four touchdowns, while David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs had standout performances on the ground. It marked the second time this year the team has hit the half-century mark in points, as they scored 52 against the Tennessee Titans last month.

The Lions continue to roll through the regular season, coming close to already securing a spot in the playoffs. They are currently first in the NFC North, one game up on the Minnesota Vikings.

While things have not been perfect in America’s Heartland, the Colts still have a shot at sneaking into a Wild Card spot. After a series of lackluster efforts during the team’s three-game losing streak, Indianapolis and quarterback Anthony Richardson stepped up last Sunday against the New York Jets. Timely stops on defense and a solid outing by their sophomore QB helped them outlast Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.

The Colts still have some work to do. Despite being second in the AFC South, Indy is two games back of the first-place Houston Texans and one back of the last Wild Card spot in the AFC.

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The Colts are 22-20-2 against the Lions, winning four of the last five meetings.

  • Watch the NFL on FuboTV (7-day free trial)

Check out the NFL schedule



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Lions News: How Detroit became contenders in just 3 years

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20 hours ago

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November 23, 2024

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Lions News: How Detroit became contenders in just 3 years


It hasn’t been an easy road for the Detroit Lions. At this point, everyone knows the history. For decades, the franchise felt as though they couldn’t get things right. Even when there were glimmers of hope from Hall of Famers like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, they couldn’t get enough together to make things click.

Then, after an especially embarrassing performance on Thanksgiving back in 2020, Lions principal owner Sheila Hamp said enough was enough. She cleaned house before the end of that season and immediately began laying the groundwork of her plan to make this team a consistent winner—something the city and its fans can be proud of.

That plan led them to hire both coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes in 2021, and the two got to work. Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network joined “The Insiders” to discuss how the Lions have built a Super Bowl contender in Detroit, and how it wasn’t an immediate success by any means.

Wolfe dove into how Campbell leads the team, including some specific examples from left tackle Taylor Decker that really highlights just how good of a communicator Campbell is as a coach. You can listen to the full segment from Wolfe below.

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And now, onto the rest of today’s notes:

  • Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader handed out 250 Thanksgiving meals at Detroit Edison Public School Academy this Friday and ESPN’s Eric Woodyard was there to speak with Reader during the event.
  • Greg Cosell of “NFL Matchup” on ESPN breaks down the dagger concept and how Detroit’s offense executes it so well.
  • Best safety duo in the league and it’s really not much of a debate.
  • I hope Indianapolis is ready for a different shade of blue to take over their town for the weekend.





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