Citizens Research Council of Michigan

09/11/2026

The Citizen Research Council's latest Detroit Bureau analysis shows that Detroit’s property-crime rates — particularly larceny and motor-vehicle theft — have risen since 2022 and now exceed pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, Detroit recorded 2,382 larcenies and 1,270 vehicle thefts per 100,000 residents, placing it among the highest among six benchmarked peer cities.

Economic determinants remain the strongest predictors of property crime. Detroit has the lowest median household income, the highest poverty rate, and higher unemployment among peer cities. These conditions increase vulnerability to property crime and limit the effectiveness of policing-only strategies.

Detroit Bureau Director Doug Ortiz emphasizes in the podcast that while technology-based interventions improve detection, community-based policing and investments in economic stability produce more durable crime reductions.

Benchmarking against peer cities reveals gaps that absolute crime numbers obscure and highlights areas where targeted policy interventions could accelerate progress.

09/11/2026

🚗⚠️ More from the latest Pod: CRC’s Doug Ortiz and Guy Gordon walk through new analysis of Detroit’s property crime trends — including larceny and motor vehicle theft — and how the city stacks up against six comparable urban centers.

While Detroit has seen major declines since the 1990s, recent increases and slower improvement relative to peer cities highlight ongoing challenges. Ortiz explains the economic conditions driving crime, the limits of technology-based policing, and why community-based strategies show stronger results. It’s a clear, data-driven look at what’s improving, what isn’t, and what it will take to move Detroit forward.

09/10/2026

🍷🍽️Individual tickets available, along with many sponsorships!

https://crcmich.org/event/2026dinner-2

A good time, with good people, honoring great public servants.

September 30, The Lansing Center. Reception begins at 5 pm.

We hope you can make it!

09/10/2026

Just dropped: Public Officials and Employment: Article XI of Michigan’s Constitution

Just one more constitutional article to cover before Proposal 1 is before voters in November, asking voters if there should be a Constitutional Convention.

Con-Con issues from Article IX would likely include civil service reform, collective bargaining, and tougher ethics requirements.

https://crcmich.org/PUBLICAT/2020s/2026/rpt42514-article-11-public-officers-and-employment.pdf

09/04/2026

Guy Gordon and Citizens Research Council of Michigan President Eric Lupher break down Article X of the Michigan Constitution — from eminent domain reforms to the outdated “disability of coverture” and property rights for non-citizens.

This episode of the Podcast helps Michigan voters understand what’s at stake when they consider whether to open the state constitution for revision.

🚆✈️🌉🚚Starting with eminent domain: while the concept traditionally supported public infrastructure (roads, railroads, airports), controversy emerged when governments began transferring taken land to private businesses for economic development.

Eric notes that Michigan addressed this in 2006, amending the constitution to:
• Require strict proof of public use.
• Exclude economic development as a valid public use.
• Mandate a 25% premium above market value for taken property.

“Now the government's required to pay ... a 25% percent premium…”

09/03/2026

In June, we released a comprehensive report on hyperscale data centers and the controversies involved in their development.

This latest brief focuses on what local governments face and can do to address data center development in their communities.

Local government considerations in responding to hyperscale data center proposals.

09/02/2026

🍷🍽️Individual tickets are now available, along with an array of sponsorships!

https://crcmich.org/event/2026dinner-2

Confirm your sponsorship by this Friday, September 4, to be recognized at the event and afterward.

A good time, with good people, honoring great public servants.

September 30, The Lansing Center. Reception begins at 5 pm.

We hope you can make it!

08/31/2026

🍷🍽️Individual tickets are now available, along with an array of sponsorships!

https://crcmich.org/event/2026dinner-2

Confirm your sponsorship by September 4 to be recognized at the event and afterward.

A good time, with good people, honoring great public servants.

September 30, The Lansing Center. Reception begins at 5 pm.

We hope you can make it!