Since Detroit has launched ShotStoppers three years ago, the city has seen a 45% decrease in homicides and nonfatal shootings, according to a University of Michigan analysis.  

ShotStoppers is a community violence intervention program that empowers the community to stop violence in their neighborhoods separate from law enforcement responses. 

The program funds selected community-based organizations known as community violence intervention teams to create intervention plans to address violence in their respective zones. 

Each team gets about $175,000 per quarter to support their efforts. The focus is on areas in Detroit that have historically experienced high levels of gun violence.

Teams can get an additional $175,000 in performance-based bonuses if they successfully reduce gun violence at a higher rate than the city.  

In the rest of the city homicide victimizations have dropped by 12% and nonfatal shooting victimizations have dropped by 26% in within the last year according to the city.  

Additional headlines for Friday, Sept. 25, 2026

Preston Townhomes 

The City of Detroit joined nonprofit development company GenesisHOPE and real estate firm Cinnaire Solutions to celebrate the grand opening of new apartments called Preston Townhomes. This is a $14 million affordable housing development bringing 31 new, high-quality homes to Detroit families.

Jeanine Hatcher is the Executive Director of GenesisHOPE who spearheaded the project. Josh Bails, Development Director of Housing and Revitalization Department shared that Hatcher was adamant about getting as many affordable units as possible.  

“When we do a large apartment building that’s affordable housing, almost all the units end up being studios and one bedrooms, and we claw and we fight for as many two-bedroom units as we can get in a project, and it usually ends up being just a handful. Janine [Hatcher] and her team came into this with a mission and a vision of ‘if we’re going to have affordable housing, we want to have affordable housing for families.’ And that is something that is incredibly difficult to do, but they would not compromise… And to see that many 100% units sized for families in a project is almost unheard of.”

The building is built on the former site of Detroit Eastern High School and transform a once vacant building to necessary housing for the city.  

Sports 

NFL  

The Lions are trying to bounce back from last week’s tough loss to the Buffalo Bills. They face off the New York Jets on Sunday at Ford Field. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

MLB 
The Tigers face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend as they try to climb out the American League Central. They are currently second to last in their division. 

Soccer
Detroit City FC face off against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Keyworth Stadium. Game starts at 7 p.m. 

Coffee Week

For all of our Caffeine junkies, today marks the start of Dearborn’s third annual Coffee Week. Going down from Friday, Sept. 25 to Friday, Oct. 2, these seven days celebrate way more than coffee—art, culture, and community as well.

According to organizers, coffee shops will host activations and there will be fun activities scattered throughout the week.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The city of Detroit and local leaders celebrated the opening of Rohns Apartments that will add 17 new affordable units to city’s housing stock.   

The long vacant historic apartment building was revitalized by the development company WIZE Detroit.

During the grand opening press conference Sophia Zembra, owner and managing director of WIZE, shared her thoughts around the project.   “Rohns Apartments is our first project. We are very grateful. The city of Detroit guided us all the way up.”

The project was made possible due to the Detroit Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) ordinance that was issued in October of 2024. The program aims to accelerate affordable housing development by simplifying and expediting the approval process for qualifying projects.  

Director of the Housing and Revitalization Department Julie Synder says this development is a product of public and private partnership.   “Rohns apartment shows that good housing policy can help make good housing development possible. Creating more affordable housing requires more than developers who are willing to invest…it also requires the tools to make that development possible to support their vision and come together to make projects like this a reality.”

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment starts at $900 per month, while rent for a two-bedroom apartment starts at $1,100 per month.    

WIZE is also using the PILOT program to redevelop the Dexter Linwood neighborhood. This will feature 34 residential units with a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, and one studio unit. The project is expected to be completed in 2028.   

Additional headlines for Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

Pay As You Stay returns

The city’s Pay As you Stay (PAYS) program returns. The program helps Detroit residents by reducing delinquent past property taxes and has helped prevent foreclosure for thousands of Detroit property owners. 

The program expired on June 30 of 2025. But after efforts from city leaders, the legislature continues.

Wayne County Treasurer Eric R. Sabree shares why the program is so important. “It keeps owner-occupied residents in their homes and keeps homes affordable. PAYS has been successful throughout the county. We needed to continue to be their for families…people who legitimately fall on difficult times due to changing economies or other circumstances beyond their control.” 

Since 2020 the PAYS program has helped approximately 18,000 Detroit property owners keep their homes.   

Sports  

Lions  

The Detroit Lions are set to have their second preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Detroit Lions edge rusher Derrick Moore shares how a preseason game can help reset players. “I’ve been out for two weeks. Getting back into the rhythm of being able to go against different competition and different looks and showing everyone what I’m capable of doing”.

Kickoff is at noon at Ford Field.  
  
Tigers  

The Detroit Tigers have slid back down the American League Central division and their back-to-back losses against the Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t help. They hope to bounce back this weekend against the Kansas City Royals.

First pitch for tomorrow’s game is at 8:10 p.m. at Ford Field. First pitch is at 8:10 p.m. EST at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City Missouri.   
  
DCFC

Detroit City Football Club will go against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday at Keyworth Stadium. Game starts at 7:00 p.m .

Detroit Bourbon and Blues

Detroit Bourbon and Blues is back for the fourth annual immersive tasting and live music event. Organizers say this unique experience invites guests to sample a variety of bourbons and whiskeys as well as enjoy good music.

This is all going down at Eastern Market Shed 5 on Sunday, Aug. 23 from noon to 7 p.m.   

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.