What's happening to Detroit?

[eunhye]

Chaos erupts at Cobo as thousands jockey for aid | detnews.com | The Detroit News

6 injured as long lines of Detroiters waited for chance to get fed help to pay their bills
George Hunter, Charlie LeDuff and Santiago Esparza / The Detroit News

Detroit -- The lure of federal cash assistance for needy Detroit families sparked pandemonium Wednesday at Cobo Center, as hundreds of city residents pushed, jostled and trampled others in a rush to apply for the aid.

In a scene that spoke volumes about the despair of one of the nation's poorest cities, about 50,000 Detroiters descended on downtown to pick up 5,000 applications in hopes of enrolling in a federal program that pays a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to low-income residents to help pay rent and utilities.

In fact, some 60,000 residents applied for the aid over two days, although the city will only be able to help about 3,400 families.

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Wednesday's line stretched for blocks and before the process could be completed at least six people were taken away by ambulance, 150 police were called to the scene and the city stopped distributing applications before noon.

The mayhem seemed to reflect the desperation of a city in which one in three lives in poverty and 28.7 percent are unemployed. Others said it was exacerbated by rumors the government was literally handing out cash. It wasn't.

Karen Dumas, a spokeswoman for Mayor Dave Bing, acknowledged the rumors, calling them "totally untrue." Dumas added: "There is a process."

Walt Williams, 51, arrived at Cobo before sunrise to get a good spot for the 10 a.m. opening of the doors. "This morning, I seen the curtain pulled back on the misery," a bewildered Williams said.

"People fighting over a line; people threatening to shoot each other -- is this what we've come to?"

Police said no one was believed to have suffered major injuries in the scuffles.

Detroit received $15.2 million from the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program that helps pay rent, utility assistance and security deposits for families with incomes of less than $35,500. In Detroit, that's 58 percent of the households, states the U.S. Census.

Federal relief programs have sparked huge lines in other states, such as New York. But Wednesday's chaos over the program was unique to Detroit, said Andrea Mead, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Mead said she isn't aware of any similar incidents in the 535 cities, states and counties that got the grants through her office. She said HUD is sending more staffers to Detroit to help the city sort the applications.

"It really speaks to the need right now," Mead said.

On Tuesday, more than 25,000 applications were snapped up in less than three hours at Neighborhood City Halls, making the corridors of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center nearly impassable.

The city had moved the program to Cobo Center on Wednesday, hoping the cavernous facility could accommodate the need.

It didn't.

People in wheelchairs and others using canes were leaned on by other applicants too weak to stand. Some complained people were going through the crowd, snatching applications. Amid the pushing was a constant din of screams from people insisting they be let inside.

LaTanya Williams, a 32-year-old Detroiter, quickly filled out her form because she said "people are stealing them."

"I am hoping to get any help that they will give me," she said. "Everybody needs help."

After the applications ran out, some scam artists were selling photocopies of the originals for $20 each. They were doing a brisk business, even though the white original forms state clearly on the bottom: "Do not duplicate -- Must Submit Original Application."

Volunteers from the city of Detroit Planning and Development Department eventually handed out yellow photocopies themselves. Intended as temporary assistance to avoid homelessness, the stopgap help will be doled out after private agencies hired by the city ensure applicants meet program criteria.

"I'm not even sure the government will accept those applications," said volunteer Pam Johnson. "But it's almost like they had to pacify people. There was almost a riot. I mean, they had to call out the (Detroit Police) Gang Squad. I saw an elderly woman almost get trampled to death."

Kelley Turcotte, a Detroit dishwasher, was near the end of the line outside Cobo. The 27-year-old with a newborn son said he is only squeaking by financially.

"I hope the government sees this and realizes the city needs a lot more help than they are giving," Turcotte said.

Luis Irizarry, 35, drove from Flint for the chance he could get assistance, but found out only Detroit residents are eligible. He said it was a shock to see this many people in need.

"This is ridiculous," Irizarry said.

Tony Johnson came at 5 a.m. Johnson has not found a job in three years.

"There's no peace 'cause there ain't no jobs," he said.

Dan McNamara, president of the Detroit Firefighters Association Local 344, was looking down from his office window across from Cobo.

"This absolutely is representative of the struggling middle class in America," he said. "We've been betrayed by the government, Realtors and those who've got. The promise has been broken."

[Mizango]

You mean besides being shitty? It seems they have a Thunderdome situation as of late.

[Absolutely Virtue]

Tigers lost.

(too soon?)

[Atreides]

poor people are HILARIOUS

[Correction]

What do you mean what's happening to Detroit? City's been like that the better part of 30 years now.

[Headspace]

Obama's happeneing to detroit.

[Zilong]

Clearly the solution to this is Robocop

[Effluo]

Depending on what part of Detroit, it's always been a hell hole, and even the 'nicer' places are a shitty place to live. Has been since I grew up there, and was before I was born.

So glad I got the hell out of that state.

[Stumblingdrunk]

Depending on what part of Detroit, it's always been a hell hole, and even the 'nicer' places are a shitty place to live. Has been since I grew up there, and was before I was born.

So glad I got the hell out of that state.

Location: Houston, TX

lateral move

[Effluo]

lateral move

Location: NJ

Hello Pot.

At least I don't have to deal with snow storms anymore.

[Stumblingdrunk]

Hello Pot.

At least I don't have to deal with snow storms anymore.

Anyone that does not like snow is a terrorist

[Effluo]

I don't mind the snow, but now I only have to see it when I visit. I miss the fun shit, but not the shoveling, trying to drive in whiteout, etc...

[Xfaustx]

You mean besides being shitty? It seems they have a Thunderdome situation as of late.

you've been there?

[oldoldman]

you've been there?

The term "it seems" tends to indicate one being on the outside looking in.

[archibaldcrane]

I kinda want to take like, what, 30 grand, buy a city block in Detroit, and build a fucking Medieval fortress there. Like with a moat and shit.

Just to confuse people.




Also, anyone who tries to get in is jealous. Ya'll are invited.

[wipers]

More important question what happened to the Detroit Lions. The city itself has it problems but that football team is in really really bad shape.

[Komm Suesser Tod]

Anyone that does not like snow is a terrorist

Then I am a mother fucking terrorist.

Fuck snow.

On a related note, I hear they have a replica of the Enterprise bridge in Detroit. Probably the one thing I would go see if I ever made it to Detroit.

[Kuya]

As a presumed liberal, i have to admit that suburban culture or "poor people's culture" annoys the shit out of me. A culture centered on the worst qualities (for a liberal anyway) you can imagine. Inmense consumerism, sexism, homophobia, distaste for wortk ethic, distaste for responsability, closed mindedness and extreme hostility. Not all poor people are this way (and in fact this image has become a commodity), but too many are.

And yet, with what i've said above my real opinion on this kind of culture (and i realize what i'm talking about is loosely related to the OP, but i had a relevant experience today!) is that, as they say in spanish: "Cria cuervos para que te saquen los ojos". The one who "cria" is capitalism.

[Senoska]

Detroit doesn't get snow.

[Ermac]

More important question what happened to the Detroit Lions. The city itself has it problems but that football team is in really really bad shape.

Since when havent we been in bad shape??? Seriously, I could go on all day how my team sucks and how maybe, JUST MAYBE, we have a prospective future finally.

Also, Detroit in general is just stupid, im downtown only when I need to be for sports and the like. Nothin else to do downtown really.

Also, snow sucks..... just really hate drivin in it for 50+ miles every day. Even if im careful, count on other people to be idiots