Yep, that sucked. I was there.

I happen to live on that block. Where exactly did it happen- closer to Woodward or Hilton?

Mark- I was able to provide a somewhat decent description despite the darkness, rain, and the speed of the crime.

JR- It was closer to Woodward, about ten feet past the dealership's driveway.

We're fine- but I'd like to caution all of our neighbors to be safe and alert. We walked down Woodward to be safe, but ultimately, it didn't matter.

Kerry- I'm sorry I did see/hear anything (farther down towards Hilton). I hope you & the others are okay given the very scary situation.

I appreciate the good wishes, but this is the last straw. I'm leaving the slap-in-the-face state and heading off to greener pastures. Tell your friends: this place is no good at all.

If something isn't done soon, more good people will be leaving Ferndale. Then what?

"Tell your friends: this place is no good at all."
I appreciate your situation, but walking Woodward and 8 mile 2:15 am isn't a good idea. You put yourself in a bad spot, and got the worst of it. If you want to leave, you should go seek your happiness. But wherever you end up, if you aren't responsible for your own safety, you may find the same issues.

Yeah, the kid had a semi pointed at my chest, not head, as the story describes. He kept the gun on me while the broads fleeced my women.

When the economy drops, crime rises. That is a fact. A FEW people who were barely making ends meet when the economy was decent are now beginning to take drastic measures to survive. Unfortunately, some of those measures are acts that break the law and place other people in harms way. Add to this that the State is now early paroling "low level" offenders who also can't find work and turn to the acts that are familiar to them: crime. This isn't just happening in the Metro Detroit area; it's happening across the country.

I am glad that no one was physically harmed, but I know the psychological impact will take time to overcome. Crime IS everywhere and Ferndale is forunate enough to have an incredible Police department that is well staffed due to the millage that passed last May. Even if we could double the amount of police officers in the city, crime will still occur. The bad guys know when and where to strike and, unfortunately, police can't be in all places at all times.

GP.....there is no direct correlation between economy and crime rates but it doesn't help. Robbing people at gunpoint is 1.5 lbs. of trigger pull from a homicide. These are not low level offenders, they are potential killers, not "survivors." Stop defending them. There is no "early parole" program in place, just lack of jail space and more getting let out the minute they can because people like you think they will just transform themselves into good folks when they get out. There IS a direct correlation from the numbers of inmates to crime....warehousing criminals keeps crime down, prison beds are still cheaper than crime, sorry, that IS a fact. This is not happening across the country, just in lawless enclaves and places where the perception of weakness exists. Our police department is woefully inadequately staffed given our geographical location and Channing is a safe street. Your compassion about the "psychological impact" of a gun pointed at you is baseless....you have no clue and your "analysis" is not supported by data......check the stats during the recession in the late 80's. KT...I'm glad you survived, work with the Police and they will find these thugs....don't leave, get a CPL...Some of us would call an encounter like yours a real life defensive exercise or...."target practice"....

Brian, I have a ccw from NJ, though not sure if it transfers. Have to do a bit of research on the matter. We've been on the phone with the PD throughout the course of the day, and things look positive. Our friend who was with us was actually able to track her phone through a particular computer program. I don't personally condone gun violence, but the presentation alone of a sidearm is enough to deter any potential criminal. I just never thought I'd have to consider doing it here. Ferndale is far safer than my home town of Totowa, NJ, which borders Paterson, NJ- a really tough, burnt out kinda town reminiscent of Detroit.

I should have been more aware; This stuff happens all over.

Hindsight is 20/20, right?

Ferndale Police need to start enforcing curfews. I was told that by an officer two years ago that residents under the age of 18 are not allowed out without a parent or guardian. I have been up on 9 mile at night and the amount of youth on bikes and walking are not Ferndale residents. First office a ride home and after that $500.00 fine. This will send a message.

That may have been me on 9 Mile that night. My Ferndale armband was in the wash - always get mistaken for someone from Fraser when I do that.

Mark Blackwell says when good people are run out by the detroiter criminal element that "more good people" will move in. I'd love to be delusional enough to believe that. What kind of ridiculous liberal utopia do you live in, skippy? Is that what happened in Detroit after the riots...when the good people left? Did more good people come? What about Eastpointe...did that happen there? What about Harper Woods... did "more good people" move in there after the first round of good people left in fear? ey Blackwell... sh*t in one hand and wish in the other. Lemme know which one fills up first.