Detroit Businesses Cautiously Optimistic About City's New Summer Safety Plan

Mayor's six-point initiative aims to address issues like block parties, drag racing, and youth engagement ahead of summer months.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:56am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffs against a pitch-black background, dramatically lit by a harsh camera flash, conceptually representing the gritty realities of law enforcement's response to urban crime.As Detroit rolls out new measures to curb summer street crime, the harsh reality of law enforcement's tools highlights the city's ongoing public safety challenges.Today in Detroit

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield unveiled a new six-point safety plan to address issues like block parties, drag racing, and youth engagement before the summer months. The plan includes measures like a focus on problem locations, free gun locks, and a priority response from the Detroit Police Department to calls about large juvenile gatherings. While some business owners appreciate the city's proactive approach, they also have concerns about the effectiveness of the curfew and hope for more community engagement efforts.

Why it matters

Detroit has faced ongoing challenges with 'teen takeover' incidents, particularly during the summer months when school is out. The new safety plan is an attempt by city leadership to get ahead of these issues and maintain a sense of order and security for both residents and businesses, especially in the downtown area.

The details

The key components of Detroit's new summer safety plan include: prioritizing 911 calls about large juvenile gatherings, distributing free gun locks, focusing enforcement efforts on problem locations, and increasing youth engagement programs. City officials, including Police Chief Todd Bettison and Building Safety Director David Bell, have pledged to work closely with businesses to address any illegal after-hours activity. However, some business owners like Checker Bar's Marissa Fischer believe the curfew may need to be adjusted, and owner Tim Tharp suggests the city could offer early evening specials to encourage teens to experience downtown in a more positive way.

  • On Thursday, April 17, 2026, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield unveiled the new six-point summer safety plan.
  • The plan is intended to be implemented ahead of the pending summer months when the city typically sees an increase in issues like block parties and drag racing.

The players

Mary Sheffield

The mayor of Detroit who announced the new six-point summer safety plan.

Todd Bettison

The chief of the Detroit Police Department, who pledged a priority response to calls about large juvenile gatherings.

David Bell

The director of Detroit's Building Safety, Engineering & Environmental Department, who said the city will work directly with police to address any illegal after-hours activity.

Tim Tharp

The owner of the Checker Bar in downtown Detroit, who suggested the city could offer early evening specials to encourage teens to experience the downtown area in a more positive way.

Marissa Fischer

The general manager of the Checker Bar, who believes the city's curfew may need to be pushed up earlier.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have made this a priority one call in our 911 call center – so if you call and see juveniles that are gathered – the Detroit Police Department will respond and investigate.”

— Todd Bettison, Police Chief

“We will work directly with DPD to ensure any illegal after-hours activity is investigated and brought into compliance.”

— David Bell, Building Safety, Engineering & Environmental Department Director

“The last thing you want is for there to be violence or chaos. So I think it just takes wrapping our arms around it a little bit and putting some boundaries on it.”

— Tim Tharp, Owner, Checker Bar

“All of the teenagers and older kids just came down and started to cause some ruckus.”

— Marissa Fischer, General Manager, Checker Bar

“Can we offer some early evening specials for them [teens] to come in and have a sandwich and experience what it's like to sit with their friends on a downtown patio?”

— Tim Tharp, Owner, Checker Bar

What’s next

The city will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the new summer safety plan and make adjustments as needed. The judge overseeing the city's curfew policy may also consider changes to the curfew hours based on feedback from businesses.

The takeaway

Detroit's new summer safety plan represents a proactive effort by city leadership to address longstanding issues like 'teen takeover' incidents before they escalate. While business owners appreciate the city's approach, they also have concerns about the plan's effectiveness and hope for more community engagement efforts to create a positive downtown experience for all.