The appointment comes amid questions and concern from some council members and members of the public over a potential conflict of interest based on Santana’s career as a public safety lobbyist and his role as a reserve officer for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
Police & Public Safety
Posted inCivic and Community Information, Detroit City Notebook, Police & Public Safety
Detroit approves $2.7M in park cameras, lighting amid surveillance concerns
Detroit-based Bayview Electric Company LLC will bring “consistent lighting and security” to the most used spaces as walkways in Chandler Park, Eliza-Howell Park, Maheras-Gentry Park and Rouge Park.
Posted inDetroit City Notebook, Police & Public Safety
Detroit council wants to know more before supporting statewide kratom ban proposal
Council members decided they wanted to wait until they could learn more information about both a State House proposal and the differences between natural and synthetic kratom.
Posted inElection 2026, Police & Public Safety
Fact check: What Abdul El-Sayed said about prison sentences, freeing inmates
Republicans claim Democrat Abdul El-Sayed wants to release violent criminals from prison. El-Sayed has supported sentencing reform but attack ads take his comments out of context.
Posted inPolice & Public Safety
‘I did nothing wrong’ and won’t resign, Bettison says amid police board support vote
The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners formally threw its support behind Detroit Police chief amid an inspector general investigation into his conduct.
Posted inDetroit City Notebook, Police & Public Safety
Detroit Inspector General investigating police chief after action on social media posts
Police Chief Todd Bettison has come under fire in recent weeks after interactions with a local activist who posted potentially compromising photos of Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield.
Posted inPolice & Public Safety
EF2 tornado touchdown confirmed on Detroit’s east side; one injured
Detroiters on the city’s east side are now cleaning up after a tornado touched down on the east side Thursday afternoon, leaving behind a path of downed trees and power lines, and damaged buildings.
Posted inPolice & Public Safety
Afternoon storms add to power outages; potential tornado touchdown on Detroit’s east side
The National Weather Service reported widespread property damage, downed trees and power lines, stranded vehicles and flooding across Southeast Michigan.
Posted inPolice & Public Safety
Police oversight board won’t end virtual public comment
If approved, the motion would have eliminated comments made over Zoom and phone, hurting access for those with disabilities, advocates said.
Posted inPolice & Public Safety
Detroiters push back as police board weighs ending virtual comments
While city lawyers say the move does not violate the Open Meetings Act, many have raised transparency, accessibility and accountability concerns.