Lessons from Southwest Detroit's Clark Park on balancing safety, community

Lessons from Southwest Detroit's Clark Park on balancing safety, community

Clark Park was once plagued by drug activity, violence, and neglect. Factors such as the formation of the Clark Park Coalition, presence of city’s Neighborhood Police Officer program played a role in park’s comeback. “Clark Park has always been special because it’s citizen-driven, with neighbors taking care of that space,” said Detroit Police Officer Alexis Kellogg. This story was published as part of Next City’s Detroit News Hub, a reporting pr…

Balancing safety and community in Southwest Detroit: Lessons from Clark Park’s revitalization

In Southwest Detroit, Clark Park stands as a testament to community resilience, evolving from a site of drug activity and violence into a vibrant neighborhood hub. This transformation, driven by grassroots initiatives and city collaborations, highlights the power of community-centered policing, though it sparks debate over police roles in public spaces.