Flint Murder Map, R.I.P.

My experiment with the Flint Murder Map has ended.

It sparked some good discussions about how to cover homicides, but it proved to be way more work than I imagined. More importantly, I didn't feel it was really providing much of a memorial to the people who died in Flint. I was basically reprinting information gathered by the overworked and under appreciated reporters at The Flint Journal, especially Shannon Murphy, Bryn Mickle and RoNeisha Mullen. I didn't have the time to conduct interviews with family and friends or offer a more complete portrait of the deceased that I thought they deserved. (Believe it or not, this was actually my original plan. After 19 years as a journalist, I should have realized how unrealistic this goal was.)

Although it is not complete, one thing the Murder Map provides is a reasonably comprehensive look at where murders occurred in 2008. It also offers a database for readers to begin making their own judgments about what counts as murder and what doesn't. As this January story by Shannon Murphy shows, the Flint Police are more than willing to revise the murder count:

"Flint police now are saying 2008 had one of the lowest reported number of homicides in a decade.

"On Monday, interim Chief David Dicks said the city had as much as a 10 percent decrease in homicides from the previous year.

"That comes just a week after Dicks reported there was a 16.6 percent increase — from 30 homicides in 2007 to 35 in 2008.

"A closer look at the statistics revealed that up to eight of the homicides are justifiable, which would bringing the number down to 27, Dicks said.

"'This is a big deal for us and the citizens,' Dick said. 'It's showing we are doing the best we can.'"

Anyone who has ever watched The Wire knows that statistics compiled by the police should be verified independently.

In season three, Major Howard "Bunny" Colvin complains about pressure to "juke the stats" to create the appearance that crime is decreasing. "You can reclassify an agg assault, unfound a robbery, but how do you make a body disappear?" he asks.

Apparently, you simply reclassify the murder as a justifiable homicide.

Marcus Houston, R.I.P.

"Police on Thursday night [Nov. 13] were investigating the slaying of a man shot numerous times outside a party store on the city's north side," reports Bryn Mickle of The Flint Journal.

"A man who police believe to be in his late teens or early 20s was found shot in the upper body about 6 p.m. near the front door of a party store at Sherman Avenue and Harvard Street.

"Police found multiple shell casings nearby from two different types of guns."

Go here for more video.

The Flint Murder Map tracks homicides in The Vehicle City throughout the year. Please note that the map is incomplete and offers only a partial list of murder victims.

A Criminal Performance

What happens when Flint's baggy pants ordinance collides with a Flint Community Players' production of "The Full Monty"?

The city gets to look absolutely ridiculous, of course.

"Strictly speaking, City Attorney Trachelle Young acknowledges that flashing the audience from the stage isn't much different from flashing someone on the street.

"'There are no exemptions for the theater,' she [told Bryn Mickle of The Flint Journal.]"

Damonta L. Counts, R.I.P.

"Police continue to investigate Monday's [Oct. 6] slaying of a man on the city's north side," Bryn Mickle of The Flint Journal reports.

"Damonta L. Counts, 22, was found shot about 5:30 p.m. near the intersection of Fleming Road and Caniff Street.

"He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital."

The Flint Murder Map tracks homicides in the Vehicle City throughout the year. Please note that the map is incomplete and offers only a partial list of murder victims.

Lafayette Foxx, R.I.P.

Police investigators outside Sim's Market, where Lafayette Foxx was murdered. (Photo by Bruce Edwards/The Flint Journal).

Bryn Mickle and Shannon Murphy of The Flint Journal report:

"A man was shot to death outside a corner market Wednesday afternoon.

"Police responding to report of shots fired near Alexander Street and Gillespie Avenue about 12:35 p.m. and found Lafayette Foxx, 23, on the ground.

"Witnesses told police they heard several gunshots in the area.

"He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead."

For an unofficial tally of homicides, consult the Flint Murder Map.

A Canadian rides to the rescue?

A tip of the cowboy hat to Susanne Grundison, a seemingly good-natured Canadian from British Columbia who purchased the Wild West home of Flint legend Roy "Gypsy Jack" Steffenson Jr. on eBay.

"The house intrigues me," she said. "I hope when I get there it continues to intrigue me."

Bryn Mickle, who appears to be almost single-handedly filling The Flint Journal with copy, tells the tale:

With a starting bid of $2,000, the house had just four bids before Grundison placed the final and winning bid.

Grundison, who lives in British Columbia, paid another $499 in closing costs and will also have to pay $626 in unpaid summer taxes.

Although she knows she is taking a risk buying a house based on a picture on the Internet, Grundison said with Gypsy Jack's colorful history she couldn't pass it up.

She has already looking for a local property manager to take a look inside and said she may fix it up as a rental, although it could be months before she gets a chance to visit her new acquisition.

But there is one thing she can't figure out given the house's lore: "Why does nobody in the United States want to buy it?" said Grundison.

Ahh, that's a good question, Susanne, but I'm sure the answer will be revealed on your first visit to The Vehicle City when you discover that the house is in a lot worse shape than the outdated eBay photo led you to believe. But let's not be negative. Here's hoping this is the start of better days for the former home of Gypsy Jack.

What a drag

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines. Injured citizens and lawyers, start your liability claims. City accountants, start writing checks. (Photo by John W. Adkisson/The Flint Journal)


With Flint's infrastructure crumbling and violent crime soaring, Mayor Don Williamson has city workers paving an eighth-mile section of Bluff Street between Chevrolet Avenue and Stevenson Street. Guard rails are also being installed.

The reason? The mayor plans to have city-run drag races on Saturdays.

Bryn Mickle and Joe Lawlor of The Flint Journal report:

Lapeer County drag strip operator Ed Vakula, however, is skeptical of the city plan.

Vakula said a new drag strip hasn't opened in Michigan in 40 years, something he attributes to neighbors raising a ruckus over the noise before plans even get off the ground.

Neighbors of Vakula's Lapeer International Dragway complain of noise from four miles away and Vakula doesn't envision that residents living near the Flint drag strip will be too happy either.

"It's loud but we are used to it," said Tom Coulter, who lives near Vakula's drag strip.

"If the wind blows this way... You would have to raise your voice (to have a conversation)."

Aside from noise, there is also the question of insurance and making sure the cars are fit for racing, said Vakula.

Insurance for a drag strip can run upwards of $1,000 a day and a mishap with a stick shift transmission can turn a car into a bomb, sending shrapnel into spectators.

"I've never heard of anyone putting (a drag strip) in a city," said Vakula.

"I can't believe they would do that."

Nudist club just misunderstood

You know, I always thought of Burton as a pretty quiet, low-key sort of place. Compared to Flint, you might even call it sedate. Man, either things have changed or I never got a chance to experience the real Burton:

"A 'nudist club' on Fenton Road is in trouble for allegedly offering more than just relaxing massages," reports Bryn Mickle of The Flint Journal.

"With complaints from residents that used condoms have littered the neighborhood since the Paradise Spa and Sun Club opened this year, Genesee County Prosecutor David S. Leyton has asked a judge to padlock the club on the grounds that it is a front for prostitution.

"The owners says the club is misunderstood.

"'It's a beautiful place and it's above board,' said Jon Lindhurst.

"'My neighbors don't understand it.'"

Hey buddy, do you need a sapling or a manhole cover? I got some. Cheap!

Burton Public Utilities supervisor Mike Holzer stands inside of a storm sewer manhole. (Photo by John W. Adkisson | The Flint Journal)

First it was trees, then it was copper, and now it's manhole covers that Flint thieves have a hankering for:

"Scrap metal thieves have stooped to stealing manhole covers and sewer grates right off the street," reports Bryn Mickle of The Flint Journal.

"Not only is it costly for taxpayers, the disappearing covers create a hazard for drivers and people just walking along the road.

"'That would be a long drop,' said Lyle Hippensteel, utility superintendent for the city of Flint.

"In the past year, the city has had to replace nearly 400 manhole covers and grates that officials believe were likely stolen and sold for scrap."