Illuminating stories at the intersection of safety, justice and policing in Detroit 

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Subscribe to the new Streetlight Detroit newsletter for engaging and critical deep dives at the intersection of safety, justice and policing in the city.

This isn’t a rundown of the latest crime headlines. Instead, you’ll see us in your inbox every other week with the explainers, data and key stories you need to help build a safer Detroit. We’ll bring you the best information, experts and reporting on how safety and policing intersect in the city, from the expansion of ShotSpotter and surveillance technology to the increasing frequency and severity of mental health crises to updates on oversight or inaction by the Board of Police Commissioners. 

Streetlight Detroit launched in May 2023 as a collaborative project. Members of the Collaborative Detroit Newsrooms network — Outlier Media/Detroit Documenters, BridgeDetroit, Chalkbeat Detroit, Detroit Free Press, Detroit Metro Times, Michigan Radio, Planet Detroit, WDET 101.9 FM, WXYZ (Channel 7) — are working together to make sure Detroiters have the information they need to feel safer.

Latest newsletters

🏘️ The winter cycle

The never-ending conversation on how best to help the city’s homeless population. And an asthma program that leaves participants breathing easier.

🪪 ID, do you?

An undying hope for safety and justice, election security woes and a snapshot of homelessness in Detroit.

🏡 The cop next door

We’re diving into residency rules for Detroit police and city employees in Detroit. Back in the day, police officers were required to live in the city. Residency requirements have been gone for decades, replaced by some incentives for job applicants who are residents.

‘Credible messengers’ for crime prevention

We have some details on police promotions and alleged misconduct, a funding fumble for mental health resources, a look into the history of strikes and labor organizing in the city with a possible UAW strike coming next week, and more.