17-Month Old Girl Found Dead in Her Home. Google Streetview Shows Assault Rifle at Her House

Ziya Turner, a seventeen month old infant, was found dead inside her home on Brinker Street on Detroit's east side. While Brinker Street may be on the other side of the city from the Warrendale neighborhood, any time an infant dies it is a tragedy that touches everyone. As the police and medical examiner continue to investigate her death, a look at her home on Google Streetview may well offer insight into her home life and her family.

This is a screen image of Ziya Turner's home on Brinker Street in Detroit. Google blurred the 4 young men and the young woman who are on the porch of this home. Regardless, one can clearly see that 1 of the young men is brandishing an assault rifle.

Google Streetview image of Ziya Turner's home. Click image for larger version

The fact that an assault rifle was clearly in this child's home offers an insight into her family that can only be called troubling. The fact that this has been visible on the internet all this time, as yet another reminder how ineffective local law enforcement is at securing illegal firearms, can only be called disappointing or worse.

Two Men Sentenced in Dearborn Armored Car Robbery

Stock Photo by Cyan Li

Two men were sentenced this morning for murder, bank robbery, and conspiracy relating to armored car robberies in Dearborn and Detroit, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced this morning. Shewas joined in this announcement by Acting Special Agent in Charge Edward Hanko of the Detroit Division of the FBI.

U.S. District Judge Victoria A. Roberts sentenced Kevin Watson, 41, and Norman Duncan, 42, both of Detroit. Mr. Watson was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was convicted by a jury on November 22, 2011. Mr. Duncan was sentenced to thirty-seven years in prison, which will run consecutive to his state sentence for a third armored car robbery after pleading guilty on January 10.

Mr. Watson continued to maintain his innocence at his sentencing today. However, Judge Roberts stated that she believed the witnesses against him and found that he committed perjury when he testified.

The evidence presented during the trial showed that during the early morning hours of December 14, 2001, Watson, Duncan, and four other men robbed an armored truck delivering money to the ATM machines at the Dearborn Federal Credit Union, which is south of the Warrendale neighborhood. During the course of this robbery, armored truck guard Norman Anthony Stephens was shot in the back and killed with shotguns used by the robbers.

Mr. Watson, Mr. Duncan, and their fellow robbers escaped the scene with $204,000 in cash. At the time, Mr. Stephens and his two fellow guards were employees of Total Armored Car Services in Detroit. Mr. Stephens was married; he and his wife had six children. The evidence also showed that Mr. Duncan and two other men robbed an armored truck delivering money to an ATM at a Comerica Bank branch in Detroit on June 19, 2003. During the course of the robbery, armored truck guard Jonathan Smith was shot by the robbers.

Co-defendants Timothy O’Riley and Earl Johnson have been sentenced to life in prison. Co-defendants Khayyam Wilson and Henry Matthews are set to be sentenced on June 25 and Archie Broom is set for sentencing August 1.

“It is gratifying to see significant sentences for these defendants and to know that justice has been done for Norman Stephens and his family,” Ms. McQuade said in a prepared statement. “These sentences show that violent behavior that harms innocent people will result in severe consequences.”

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Chasteen, Kenneth Chadwell, and Maggie Smith.

Tip of the Week: Enjoy Fireworks Safely

Stock Photo by Joseph Hart

As we head towards the 4th of July, and fireworks are hear throughout the Warrendale neighborhood with increasing regularity, the Detroit Fire Department offers a few suggestions about how to enjoy them safely. The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home - period. The safest thing to do is attend public fireworks displays and leave lighting them to the professionals.

If you ultimately decide to engage in this very dangerous activity, make sure fireworks are legal in your area and follow these safety tips:

• Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.;
• Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly;
• Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks;
• Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a devise does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate it. Put it out with water and dispose of it;
• Always read the directions and warning labels on fireworks. If a devise is not marked with the contents, direction and a warning label, do not light it; and
• Supervise children around fireworks at all times.

Enjoying fireworks safely is your Warrendale Tip of the Week.

Fire in Warrendale

I hear several fire trucks in the vicinity of Paul St. and the Southfield Fwy. Not sure what's on fire but something sure is.

Chicago Alderman Worries About Becoming Detroit. He Has Nothing to Worry About

The Chicago Sun-Times published an article about a road rage shooting that may or may not have been gang-related. In it, was a quote from an unnamed Chicago alderman who worried about his city "becoming Detroit."

From the article (complete with an uncorrected spelling error):

When you start having that [violence] in a place where people generally feel safe, that’s when we start becoming Detroit,” said one alderman, who asked to remain annonymous.

There are several points about this that concern me.

I'll start with the fact that The Chicago Sun-Times published an article with the word "anonymous" misspelled. I simply hope that journalists in Detroit will be able to take a break from their Pulitzer Prize acceptance speeches to send their counterparts in the Windy City a dictionary. Mistakes like that one make everyone look bad.

Second, you know a thought is a really stupid one when a Chicago alderman doesn't want his name associated with it. Quite frankly, the only problem most Chicago politicians have with narcissistic personality disorders is that they aren't named after one of them.

Finally, I have to ask: how in the world can someone from the city that made gangland shootings famous worry that one more shooting means Chicago is "becoming Detroit"?

Don't worry, Chicagoans. You have a long way to go until you reach Detroit status.

Community Plans for Restoration of Joy Road in Detroit

Photo from Michigan.gov

Joy Road is scheduled for a total restoration in 2013 as part of the Downtowns of Promise program that is sponsored by Michigan State Housing Development Authority. As part of the community design initiative, Michigan State University will facilitate a meeting to obtain input into how this should happen.

This meeting will on Wednesday, June 20 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. It will be held at the Edison Branch of the Detroit Public Library (18400 Joy Rd.).

Everyone who lives in, works in, or otherwise has an interest in Joy Road, which is the northern boundary of the Warrendale neighborhood, is invited to attend this meeting and share their thoughts.

Tip of the Week: Barbecue Safety Tips

Stock Photo by Mihai Dumitru

Barbecue season is upon us. One can smell its aroma throughout the Warrendale neighborhood. With that in mind, I wanted to share some tips from the Detroit Fire Department about barbecue safety.

Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Also, make sure that the venturi tubes - where the air and gas mix - are not blocked.

A few other safety tips include:

• Do not overfill the propane tank;
• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue;
• Be careful when using lighter fluid; Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
• Never grill/barbecue in enclosed areas - carbon monoxide could be produced;

Also, backyard cooks should be advised to dispose of hot coals properly. Douse them with plenty of water and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.

If children will be around the barbecue, there are special tips for keeping them safe. Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.

Finally, make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop and Roll in case a piece of clothing does catch fire. Call 911 or your local emergency number if a burn warrants serious medical attention.