Crime Watch … Crime is down and the police department gets a drone

Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri

By Charles Sercombe
Good news, Hamtramck.
Crime was down last year, in general, according to the Hamtramck Police Department.
The results of that look back to 2024 also mirror historic decreases in crime across the country last year, according to FBI statistics.
But, strangely, the public perception of the crime rate is just the opposite, according to various media reports.
The police department gave its annual report for 2024 a few weeks ago to the Hamtramck city council.
In all but two crime categories, the number of crimes reported dropped overall by roughly 10 percent.
The only categories on the increase were assaults (5.32 percent) and thefts (11.76 percent).
Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri said one category has shown a significant drop since 2001: car thefts – the bane of existence for many living in Hamtramck.
Back then, there were 700 vehicles reported stolen. That number is now down to 120 – a number that is still vexing enough for a small town that is only two square miles.
Hamtramck itself may be a small town, but it’s surrounded by some of the worst neighborhoods in Detroit – although there continues to be signs that the neighborhoods are stabilizing, with the arrival of more and more immigrants settling in.
In general, Altaheri credited the decrease in crime to “great teamwork.”
Despite the drop in crime, Mayor Amer Ghalib questioned why the department continues to lose officers to other cities – especially after the city gave officers a “generous” salary increase for the next five years, and given the continued purchase of new vehicles for the department.
Hamtramck has a long, frustrating history with retaining officers, who likely see this city as a stepping stone to better-paid positions that wealthier suburban communities can afford to pay.
In other updates in crime fighting, the department finally got the go-ahead to purchase one drone to help with tracking suspects on the loose, and for crowd control.
Up to now, the council has rejected such past requests over concerns about how the drone will be used by the department, and over its cost as well.
There had been concern over the department abusing the drone to spy on residents or somehow invade their privacy.
In the latest attempt to convince the council otherwise, Dave Adamczyk, an investigator in the department, stepped up to address the council.
He said that there have been “misperceptions” from some on the council and the public about the use of the drone during the department’s prior presentation of the proposal several weeks ago.
He stressed, over and over, that it will not be used for surveillance on residents, but, instead, to help track suspects on the run.
Deputy Chief Andy Mileski said the drones are for “the safety of officers and residents.”
City Manager Max Garbarino also assured the council and the public that any misuse or “shenanigans” with the drone by any officer “will not be tolerated,” and would be a reason to fire that officer.
Councilmember Muhith Mahmood questioned whether the money would be better spent on purchasing another “petrol” car, apparently meaning to say a “patrol” car.
Mayor Ghalib helped the department rescue its pitch by sharing his opinion that the purchase of the drone is something “worth trying.”
That purchase and operational costs will total $40,000 through 2028.
The council eventually voted to allow the purchase.
Posted April 4, 2025