Belle Isle (photo by Wendy Sadoff)
Nearly a year ago, the state takeover of Belle Isle was off to a rocky start.
First off, there were Detroiters who were simply opposed to the state taking over a city jewel. Then, residents and officials complained that state cops were being too aggressive in enforcing traffic and other violations.
Now, with the one-year anniversary of the takeover approaching next month, things are looking good, reports Christine Ferretti of The Detroit News.
William C. Plumpe, 62, a city retiree, tells The News he visits more often. "There's more order and a greater feeling of safety," he says. "By and large, the island seems calmer."
Ferretti writes:
State parks officials say statistics show the response to changes on the island has been good.
The department has logged more than 2 million visitors to the island from June through the end of December, and the number of Detroit residents purchasing passes for their vehicles is up, too.
The number of cars with Detroit ZIP codes that had obtained passes in November 2014 had increased by nearly 13 percent over those that had them in November 2013, says Ron Olson, parks and recreation division chief for the state DNR.
"It's a positive sign," Olson said. "We know that people are aware."
The News reports that since January 2014, state officers have conducted 2,003 traffic stops on the island, and of those, 1,814 drivers got warnings. The lions' share of violations involved speeding. State Police also made 25 felony arrests and 225 misdemeanor arrests. They have apprehended 119 fugitives and seized four firearms.
"We made it no secret of what our mission was on the island," Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw says. "The days of driving 50 in a 20 mph zone on Belle Isle are officially over."
