DETROIT – Violent crime has been trending downward in Detroit and across Michigan, but the five major candidates running for governor disagree on what it will take to sustain that progress.
Detroit recorded 165 homicides in 2025, the city’s fewest since the mid-1960s.
Non-fatal shootings fell 26%, carjackings dropped 46%, and robberies declined 21% compared with the previous year.
In one-on-one interviews with Local 4, the candidates agreed that public safety remains foundational to Michigan’s future, arguing that residents and businesses are less likely to invest in communities they do not believe are safe.
However, they offered sharply different approaches to reducing crime, strengthening law enforcement, and preventing future violence.
Mike Cox emphasizes tougher enforcement and parole supervision
Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox said his experience as a Wayne County prosecutor and the state’s top law enforcement official has shaped his approach to public safety.
Asked about Michigan’s biggest public safety challenge, Cox acknowledged recent progress but said more work remains.
“Crime has gone down in Detroit, Saginaw, and Flint, but we have to do better,” said Cox. “200 murders is unacceptable in the city of Detroit. Any murder is unacceptable. So I worked with the Detroit police back when I was AG, and of course, when I spent 13 years as a Wayne County prosecutor.”
Cox said he would revive the “Joshua Project,” a program that conducted nighttime compliance checks on probationers and parolees through the Michigan Department of Corrections.
“Which had Department of Corrections folks going out at night, checking on probationers and parolees,” said Cox. “That worked then; it would work now. Politics got in the way then; it won’t this time.”
He also called for changes to Michigan’s criminal justice system.
“I push the legislature to get rid of cashless bail to change sentencing guidelines and, importantly, appoint the right sort of judges who understand that there’s a difference between being a victim and a defendant,” said Cox.
John James says restoring confidence in the justice system is critical
Republican Congressman John James argued the state’s biggest public safety issue is declining public confidence in law enforcement and the courts.
“I believe the number one public safety concern is that people frankly don’t trust that the judicial system, that the law enforcement system works for them,” said James. “They see people getting out back on the streets after committing violent crimes before a lot of these cops are out done with their shifts. We need to enforce the law, and we need to make sure that there are consequences and common sense in the state of Michigan again.”
James said his administration would prioritize victims and seek tougher consequences for repeat violent offenders.
“People don’t feel safe in their neighborhoods anymore,” said James. “I’m going to enforce the law. I’m going to make sure that violent repeat offenders go to jail and stay there. And any activists, judges, DAs, and prosecutors who care more about criminals’ feelings than victims’ rights are going to have to account to the governor and to the agency.”
Perry Johnson says policy should begin with data
Republican businessman Perry Johnson said public safety strategies should be tailored to regional needs rather than applied uniformly across the state.
“Safety depends on regions,” said Johnson. “Some areas of our state are extremely safe. Other areas are not.”
Johnson said the government should first identify weaknesses before implementing new policies.
“So those are the areas that must be looked at,” said Johnson. “So even when you look at safety, doing a basic audit of seeing where the weaknesses are, where the strengths are, where you need to improve. Has to be done instead of just randomly have something go across the board in the entire state.”
Johnson also argued that decision-making should be driven by measurable data.
“I think making a decision blind is like shooting at a dart board, covering your eyes, and hoping you hit the bullseye,” said Johnson. “That is not my way to run any organization, any business, or any government.”
Chris Swanson focuses on prevention and trafficking
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, a Democratic candidate with three decades in law enforcement, identified drug trafficking and human trafficking as Michigan’s most pressing public safety threats.
“Drug trafficking is the number one industry,” said Swanson. “Human trafficking is fastest growing in the world, and they’re interdependent. Those are the top two.”
Swanson said preventing crime before it occurs should be a central responsibility of government.
“The best way to treat crime is preventative,” said Swanson. “Stop it before it starts. It’s called problem-solving policing. And if you just treat the symptom, then you’re not solving the problem.”
Jocelyn Benson centers plan on reducing gun violence and increasing transparency
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said reducing gun violence would be a top priority if elected governor.
“We need to protect our communities against gun violence, whether it’s here in an education institution, at a place of worship, or in any community,” said Benson. “As a resident of Detroit, I see how important it is that we prioritize reducing gun violence and ensuring our law enforcement and other community partners are equipped with the tools they need.”
Benson also argued that transparency in state government strengthens public trust.
“Transparency in how our executive offices work,” said Benson. “Is going to be really important for me as governor because it helps engage citizens in seeing the process and getting information about how your government’s actually working.”
Different approaches to a shared goal
The Republican candidates generally emphasized tougher enforcement, judicial accountability, and data-driven resource deployment.
The Democratic candidates focused more heavily on prevention, gun violence reduction, combating trafficking, and strengthening trust between government, law enforcement, and the public.
Whoever succeeds Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will inherit a state where several public safety indicators continue to improve.
According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, the state’s recidivism rate fell to a record low of 21% last year, meaning nearly four out of five people released from prison did not return within three years.
