Safety & Security Strategy
STRATEGY: DEVELOP A SAFE AND SECURE VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Our research confirmed something we all know intuitively: tourists avoid travel destinations not perceived as safe. In its recent tourism report, Economic Research Associates (ERA) stated that the perception of crime in Metro Detroit is still a major issue affecting the area's ability to attract new visitors.
Concerning crime, the report states, "According to people in almost all of Detroit 's relevant market areas, Detroit and crime are synonymous."
The reality is that the crime rate in Metro Detroit has fallen in each of the past eight years. And there hasn't been a single violent crime against a visitor to downtown Detroit since 1993. Further, that same ERA report states that " Detroit is a relatively safe area when compared" to other cities in its study.
In order to draw more visitors we must reverse exaggerated and false views about safety in Metro Detroit, as well as continue to ensure a safe and secure visitor experience.
Our research shows that we can accomplish this by initiating:
- Public policy initiatives aimed at lowering the incidence of crime
- Urban planning and design initiatives aimed at improving visitor safety
- Targeted public communications that will lead to accurate editorial reporting about the safety of our region
Strategic Targets:
- Sponsor a public/private financing campaign for safety enhancements to walkways, lighting, way-finding signage and emergency phone boxes in key tourism pedestrian travel areas
- Work with local governments to plan targeted public communications that highlight the area's safety improvements
- Advocate enhanced police presence in major tourism activity centers
Short Term Action:
- Work with local governments to plan targeted public communications that highlight the areas safety improvements
- Advocate enhanced police presence in major tourism activity centers
- Sponsor a public/private financing campaign for safety enhancements to walkways, lighting, way-finding signage and emergency phone boxes in key tourism pedestrian travel areas
