As Detroit mourns security guard, police announce 12-point crowd control plan

Daryll Straughter and Eladio Niño were in the business of keeping people safe in downtown Detroit.

Straughter as a security guard at Athens Liquor Store in Greektown, and Niño as a Ceasefire Detroit community violence interventionist stationed right outside of Athens.

Niño hadn't worked Greektown since last summer. When he saw Straughter on the evening of April 14, "the energy was the same — we were happy to see each other," Niño said. "He was glowing."

They embraced, shook hands, caught up. But around them, chaos developed like Niño had never seen in Greektown.

He said he saw teenagers walking around with AR-15s and Dracos. He and other Ceasefire violence interventionists broke up drunken brawls until 3 a.m. They helped police secure multiple areas where shootings had occurred.

That weekend, police said there were five shootings in Greektown alone, another on the Detroit RiverWalk, and numerous arrests involving carrying a concealed weapon. The shootings and arrests prompted police on Thursday to announce a 12-point plan that emphasizes crowd control tactics and cracking down on curfew violations, illegal weapon possession and public intoxication.

Straughter kept those at Athens Liquor safe that Friday night. He was never aggressive, only assertive when needed, calm, and collected, Niño said.

Saturday night, Niño had the day off. Straughter was back at Greektown to help protect Detroiters during another chaotic night.

Around 8 p.m. that night, a gunman who was allegedly angered about line-cutting at Athens, walked up to Straughter and shot him in the chest without warning, police said. Straughter, 48, did not survive, leaving behind a wife and four children.

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Police said the suspect, Travis Deshawn Irving, 33, fled the scene assisted by his girlfriend, Nicole Kay Christian, 34. Irving is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of felony firearm, and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. Christian is charged with accessory after the fact. Both were arraigned Wednesday in 36th District Court. Irving was held without bond. Judge Kenneth King set bond at $50,000 for Christian.

Niño described Straughter as a "gentle giant" who was humble, respectful, caring and just wanted the best for others. He never saw Straughter mad.

"He'll definitely be missed," Niño said. "It seems like everybody's answer to conflict is, 'I have to shoot you, I have to kill you.'

"Why take somebody's life over that? Senseless."

12-point crowd control strategy

Detroit Police Chief James White said that, overall, downtown is still an enjoyable place to be. But the 12-point crowd control plan he announced Thursday is meant to deter the kind of violence Detroiters experienced last weekend.

Here's a breakdown of the plan:

Increase police presence

While downtown already has a significant police presence, White said Detroiters should expect to see more officers in the area, effective immediately.

Mid-summer police units will be deployed, which White described as more comprehensive and includes officers deployed strategically throughout downtown, including undercover officers.

Community education, partnerships with community groups

White said there's a "huge" education strategy as part of the 12-point plan. Community groups such as Ceasefire Detroit and others will continue to educate youth on violence prevention and safety. Community ambassadors downtown, like members of Ceasefire, will be passing out business cards to youth downtown reminding them of the city's curfew.

Police vehicles will also announce via microphone reminders of the curfew.

Curfew enforcement

The city curfew for minors 15 and under bars them from being on public streets, sidewalks, playgrounds, vacant lots or other unsupervised public places after 10 p.m. For ages 16 to 17, the curfew is 11 p.m.

White said the department will be enforcing the curfew. Violators can expect to be taken to the 4th Precinct police station, White said, and parents may be fined $500.

White said police have identified areas where youth congregate downtown, and acknowledged that they will likely move to other areas.

Strategic and timed vehicular shutdowns

Roads will be closed to vehicles in certain areas downtown at various times before 2 a.m.

Hard road closures, no parking zones

Roads in Greektown will close at 2 a.m. and the Detroit RiverWalk will close at 10 p.m.

Business inspections

Businesses will be inspected to ensure compliance with noise ordinances and to ensure no illegal sales of "loose cigarettes" and "loose cups" of alcohol.

Increased lighting in Greektown and the Detroit RiverWalk

There will be more lighting implemented in Greektown and the Detroit Riverwalk.

Eagle Eye Hotline

White said Detroit police have a program called Eagle Eye, which runs out of the department's real-time crime center. Officers and analysts are able to monitor downtown from above.

Police plan to launch an Eagle Eye Hotline for businesses to call in if they see problems arising from within their businesses.

"When the business owners themselves see a problem or have a problem on the inside of the business, not captured by Eagle Eye, they're going to have a hotline where they can call right into Eagle Eye. And we can focus immediately on that business. As those persons exit the business, our officers will be able to engage them earlier," White said.

Video wall monitors

White said his department plans on setting up video wall monitors, like the ones used during downtown's July fireworks celebration. Simply put, it's a "wall that shows that you are being videotaped. When you walk by, you get to see yourself, and you get to know that we see you as well," White said.

Public alcohol consumption ordinance enforcement

In addition to more signage regarding public intoxication, a misdemeanor, White said police will be cracking down on violators.

Noise ordinance enforcement

More signage regarding Detroit's noise ordinance will be put up downtown and police will be enforcing the ordinance, which carries a misdemeanor charge.

Rewards TV campaign on illegal weapons and ATVs

Detroit police's Rewards TV program will now include a $250 cash reward for tips on illegal gun possession and tips that lead to the confiscation of all-terrain vehicles illegally driven on city streets.

To submit a tip, visit detroitrewards.tv.

"If you are illegally carrying a gun, you are not welcome," White said.

Vigils planned

Events are being arranged to honor the life of Daryll Straughter; they include:

• At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, a vigil and balloon release are set to take place at 553 Monroe St.

• At 8 p.m. Sunday, a candlelight vigil is expected to take place in Greektown, though a specific location has yet to be announced.

Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442, asahouri@freepress.com or on Twitter @andreamsahouri.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit police push 12-point safety plan after security guard slain