The Solution

In the matter of the auto industry failing, I found a solution that may or may not be a benefit in the long run; it is all about taking chances, well predicted chances. A well thought out plan by Marc Feningstein, a politician; he believes that ". . .both GM and Chrysler should fail today; nothing would be better in the long term for the American auto industry than to go in to Chapter 11, shed their heritage and be reborn as new companies with fresh thinking, competitive organizations and processes, and new contracts". In simpler terms, he is saying that if we let 2 of the 3 leading automotive producers fail, GM and Chrysler, Ford will be on top in the end. After Ford is restored back to the top seller, eventually pasing up foreign car makers; GM and Chrysler can then be remade and recreated, brand new and smarter; learning from previous mistakes and accepting failure for long term success. This failure of the two others, will promote sales for Ford and put an American car maker back on top. As shown on the chart below. So how does relate to crimes rated? well, when Ford is back on top, the company will need more employees, which will lower unemployment rates; in the long run, lowering the crime rates. With more people off the street, the communities will begin to grow as a whole and jobs will become more available and cities like Detroit will be cleaned up and restored to original greatness.

In relation to the history of Detroit and its present day appearance, this is a solution that would require a lot of community support. With the help of bigger businesses, the city could restore these "slums" and build better housing for people at a lower cost. As for the boarded up houses, these "crack houses" should be torn down and the land used for new housing, again, at lower prices for the citizens of Detroit. With a more family oriented and community based city, the crime rate would decrease because with less people on the street and a better looking city, the good people will return. The crime rate will decrease with these risky but beneficial changes.

The History of Detroit and its’ Effect

Many would argue that the cities disturbing, racial history has a lot to do with the skyrocketing crime rates today. A man by the name of Daniel Okrent, who grew up and now resides in Detroit, agrees that the history of this city has a lot to do with its current situation. He tells of many past events of racism that could have led a city to disaster. In the 1940s, segregation was a big thing and racism was something that existed everywhere, for everyone; "a man once built a six-foot high concrete wall to separate his development from a surrounding black neighborhood" as stated by Daniel Okrent, writer of the TIME magazine title "Detroit's Future. . .". The city is clearly going down the declining path of a "ghetto" oriented city. Pictures of present day Detroit show this city now covered in boarded up housing, on the brink of becoming a rundown city, run by gangs and violence.

The Unstable Economies Effect on Detroit

Almost all United States citizens have experienced the effect of the current economical status; the recession. We have all made everyday changes to support our needs and wants but is the status of the economy great enough to effect a whole city? In Detroit, the industry getting hit the hardest from the recession is obviously the car industry. Detroit is the sole center of car manufacturing and is even nicknamed the "Motor City". This city started car manufacturing when Henry Clay introduced the assembly line used in automotive manufacturing. The downfall of the economy has greatly affected this city since then. This recession has caused the city to lay off many of its workers employed at Ford and General Motors. The graph below shows how the car industry of American made cars has lowered between January '08 and January '09 while the sales of foreign made cars has risen throughout the year, passing up American made cars. This is so closely associated with the high crime rates because when people do not have a lot of money and are unemployed, they resort to illegal activities like burglary, suicide, and sometimes murder of the ones he or she blame. The increase in unemployment due to the struggling economy forces people to do desperate things to meet their need for survival. Often, people are left homeless and on the streets because they have no job; these people are usually the ones committing these hateful crimes.

Ideas as to Why these Crime Rates are so High

In Detroit, Michigan, crime rates have always been outrageously high. Everyday occurrences like rape, murder, manslaughter and robbery instill fear throughout communities and within families living in this great city. What is the cause of these violent crimes? No one really know the answer. Many would argue that it is the downfall of the economy (leaving many unemployed and on the streets) while others would argue that it is the history behind the city causing its soaring crime rates.