Desperate Detroit Citizens Turn to Ex-Military Security Contractors
Detroit isn’t a nice place.
I’m sure it has lovely parks and monuments, but the city itself is dangerous. In fact, it was ranked as the second-most dangerous large city in America, according to FBI statistics cited by Detroit’s Local News 4.
With a whopping violent crime rate of more than 20 incidents per 1,000 people and a property crime rate that’s more than double that, it’s clear the Detroit police have their work cut out for them.
Since Detroit also faced a slew of financial problems in the last decade, qualified candidates are choosing police departments from surrounding cities for better pay and more secure benefits.
But some citizens are not content to wait for a police force of only 2,200 officers as they cover the entirety of Detroit’s 139 square miles.
Enter Dale Brown and his Threat Management Center.
Brown, an Army veteran, runs a force that offers protection to 5,000-plus citizens in Detroit. VICE News reports his 60 employees provide protection and security around residents’ properties.
Brown’s force appears to be fully equipped and ready for any environment.
His “VIPER force” has access to motorcycles, boats and blacked-out SUVs all intended to project power, according to Brown.
“We deter violent criminal behavior by projecting strength,” said Brown. “So our vehicles have all white strobe lights. Our vehicles are black and chrome.”
Brown appears to be having success with his business as well. He claims that his company earns around $2 million each year. Police are also beginning to take notice.
When asked about enterprises like that of Brown’s, Police Chief James Craig replied, “Do we think that security guards who are visible in neighborhoods deter crime? Yes. Can security guards replace police officers? No.”
Although private security companies may help the problem, a surefire way to lower crime and increase citizen safety is to erase gun restrictions. An armed society is a polite society, after all.
As Mic reported in 2013, Michigan has considerably strict gun laws that serve to disarm and actively discourage people from arming themselves and taking safety into their own hands.
Until Detroit residents have the ability to protect themselves, they’ll always be reliant on a cop or private security officer who could be miles away. When danger is at the door, time is a luxury residents may not be able to afford.
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