Cosby: Tackle fear and report crimes

DETROIT FREE PRESS

DETROIT — It was no pep talk. No cheerleading. No comic relief for which he’s so well known.

Entertainer and philanthropist Bill Cosby came to Detroit on Saturday to issue a challenge.

Flanked by security, Cosby quickly was surrounded by a crush of people, many lamenting violence, poverty and fear within the community.

Cosby listened, but shot back questions.

“Do we have any kind of procedure set in place to be able to call and say, ‘We saw who did this?”’ he asked of reports of criminal activity.

“Crimestoppers,” several in the crowd responded.

“And do we use that number?” Cosby asked. Several shook their heads no.

“Why don’t we use that number?” he pressed. The prevailing answer — fear.

It was Cosby’s fifth visit to Detroit in recent years. He has made it a mission to address issues such crime, the disconnect between fathers and their children, joblessness and personal responsibility.

This trip was sponsored by ARISE Detroit!, a community-based group that comprises several grass roots organizations promoting volunteerism within neighborhoods.

Saturday’s visit started at the Walker Williams Community Center on Rosa Parks Boulevard.

As Cosby and about 200 others made their way through blocks of boarded up buildings and broken glass, he listened to residents’ fears.

Cosby stayed busy shaking hands and hugging and often pausing for emotional exchanges with neighbors.

At one point, Rukiya Shabazz ran into the streets sobbing.

“I’m tired of the young children dying,” she screamed. “My nephew died in this street.”

The crowd nudged her to the front of the march where Cosby hugged her and spoke quietly to her.

Encouraging her, Cosby motioned for quiet.