Between 2018 and 2022, firearm homicide rates rose 48% percent for Hispanic communities in Detroit, in contrast to only 22% for white, non-Hispanics. The community continues to face heartbreak and loss in the aftermath of gun violence as institutional distrust grows across the community. Recently, ICE raids and crackdowns on immigration policy have caused an even greater divide between Detroit community members. The Ford School's Mara Ostfeld and Sam Stragand spoke with El Central about how institutional harm has impacted community welfare and the collection of research on gun violence.
Distrust of city officials and other community members became apparent when a series of welfare checks were conducted after a break in a 54-inch water main flooded many streets and homes. Community members were hesitant to open their doors when officials and volunteers came to check on their neighbors. Ostfeld noted growing tension in the community, particularly under the Trump administration, stemming from immigration reform. "When you break down those basic and foundational community ties, then so many other aspects of a community begin to falter... Trust is such a prize and a rare resource right now," said Ostfeld.
The lack of trust has shown consequential impacts on community safety and gun violence research. Ostfeld affirmed, "We know people don't trust the police... There are a lot of reasons why people are not going to report [instances of gun violence]. So [available data is] likely an underestimate."
Beyond distrust for law enforcement, many Detroiters have expressed skepticism about researchers and reporters as well. Stragand stated, "You really have to work to earn Detroiters' trust when you're talking to them... For so long, people in Detroit… have had their information taken from them without necessarily getting anything in return. And so there's a healthy distrust of researchers." Stragand argued that distrust towards researchers has made it increasingly difficult for policymakers to gain a true understanding of community needs. Hence, many community initiatives are ineffective, failing to improve conditions.
Read more of the El Central article here.
