Controversial cuts to the Detroit Fire Department are igniting a new legal battle. The union is filing a lawsuit against the city claiming cost-cutting measures threaten pubic safety.
The fire station right next door to Grady Rogers' home is empty.
"Almost a month ... nobody [has] been over there."
Neighbors like Jeffrey Austin have taken over mowing the fire station's lawn to deter scrapers.
"It was actually up to the middle of my shin."
However, it's not the scrappers that has these Detroiters worried.
"It is unsafe," Rogers said.
"By them being there, we knew we always would have somebody to go to if something was to ever go wrong," said Austin.
The fire station is one of eight on the chopping block. The city is permanently closing 15 companies, seven of which the city says have been browned out since 2005. They'll also brown out at least ten additional companies every day and layoff 28 firefighters. All of this is supposed to happen Friday, but in this neighborhood it's already beginning.
"I don't know what's going on," said Rogers.
"I believe the city could've found other ways to cut the budget besides cutting firemen and the fire department down to nothing," Austin said.
"You can't use a budget as an excuse to dismantle this fire department and make people more unsafe," said Dan McNamara with the Detroit Fire Fighters Association.
That's exactly what the Detroit Fire Fighters Association is arguing in their latest lawsuit. The union claims the city's cuts threaten the safety of citizens and firefighters. The brief points to data the union says proves these cuts are dangerous.
"I know we can show that this city can not make their obligation on these responses," McNamara said.
So what does the city and the commissioner have to say? Mayor Dave Bing's office sent a statement that said in part, "The city has a plan to effectively and efficiently maintain the highest level of fire service for the city's citizens."
Components of the plan include using newly installed GPS systems in engines and rigs to better deploy resources, increasing the use of the Community Emergency Response Team and the Fire Corps and community fire prevention education.
However, the city's statement raises a few questions. For one, the city points to GPS systems installed in rigs and engines. There are no GPS systems at Engine 5. The city also talks about the Fire Corps. We couldn't find one firefighter who even knew that the Fire Corps existed. So the question is will this plan turn into action by Friday?
"We don't know what to do Friday," said McNamara.
The Detroit Fire Fighters Association told us they expect a judge to call an emergency hearing as early as Wednesday.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:56 GMT
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:04 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:04:18 GMT
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:23 PM EDT2013-05-17 00:23:43 GMT
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:43 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:43:15 GMT
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through a previously scoreless game, helping the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 3-1 on Monday night for a 2-1 series lead.
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through a previously scoreless game, helping the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 3-1 on Monday night for a 2-1 series lead.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:35:00 GMT
Police say a 55-year-old woman is dead and two men are wounded following a shooting at a vacant Detroit residence believed to have been used for drug activity.
Police say a 55-year-old woman is dead and two men are wounded following a shooting at a vacant Detroit residence believed to have been used for drug activity.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:29 GMT
Basehunters, a storm chasing team from Norman, Okla., captured over three minutes worth of video showing Monday's deadly monster tornado that roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs.
Basehunters, a storm chasing team from Norman, Okla., captured over three minutes worth of video showing Monday's deadly monster tornado that roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:06 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:06:34 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:56 GMT
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:03:59 GMT
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 01:54:16 GMT
Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree is fighting to save his job and his career. Monday, the woman who was once his mistress testified about their numerous sexual encounters.
He once said there was no shame in his game, but now Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree is fighting to save his job and his career. Monday, the woman who was once his mistress testified about their numerous sexual encounters.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:28:46 GMT
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
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