Youth, Racism, and Public Safety in the Motor City

This chapter explores youth participation in public safety within “the Motor City” (also known as the “Arsenal of Democracy” during World War II [WWII]) and in other surrounding areas. A historical lens is used to highlight various events that took place in WWII, greatly impacting Detroit’s growth and its impact on its youth. This history includes the Detroit race riots of 1943 and 1967, following decades of discrimination and inequality. Detroit’s history of racial tensions has led to its prominence in the struggle for African American civil rights. In many ways, it is quite remarkable that notwithstanding poverty and racial tensions, the activities of Detroit’s School Safety Patrols, Police Athletic League (PAL), and other youth programs have endured. Special attention is paid to the development and the potential activities of the city’s schoolwide youth safety patrols.