Detroit Fire Department Investigates Suspicious Gas Odor at New Criminal Justice Center, Determines False Alarm

Detroit Fire Department Responds to Natural Gas Odor

DETROIT – On a chilly Tuesday morning, the Detroit Fire Department was alerted to reports of a suspicious smell in the air around the brand-new Wayne County Criminal Justice Center (CJC). Employees inside the facility were getting whiffs of what they thought might be a natural gas leak. While everyone might have held their breaths for a moment, the fire department quickly swooped in to assess the situation. And guess what? It turned out to be a false alarm!

Safety First

According to the county, the odor wafting through the air actually originated from a nearby DTE worksite. The fire department evaluated the building and happily declared it safe for all employees. Some folks, feeling a little uneasy, chose to leave the premises voluntarily, but there was no official evacuation order issued.

DTE Energy chimed in, reassuring everyone that, “At DTE Energy, the safety of our customers and communities is our top priority.” They confirmed there were no verified natural gas leaks around the Criminal Justice Center. Nevertheless, DTE crews were actively working to pinpoint the source of the reported foul odor.

What’s Inside the New Building?

The new Wayne County Criminal Justice Center is a home base for pivotal services, housing the Third Circuit Court, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Wayne County Clerk’s Office. It’s a significant step forward for the local justice system—but issues have surfaced since opening day.

Challenges at the New Wayne County Jail

Earlier this month, stirring reports emerged about struggles at the new Wayne County Jail. It hasn’t been smooth sailing since the facility’s grand opening. Investigators uncovered troubling incidents including floods, fights, and even an attempted suicide by an inmate. This unexpected turbulence has left both deputies and lawyers feeling frustrated, especially since they had high hopes for this state-of-the-art establishment.

Allen Cox, the president of the Wayne County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, voiced his concerns about the facility. “We were told that all of the things and issues that we had at the previous jails would not be an issue at the new facility,” he said. “That has not been the case.” It seems that the grand promises made during the planning stages have yet to come to fruition.

Working Out the Kinks

When pressed about the hiccups surrounding the jail’s opening, sheriff’s office spokesman Ed Foxworth urged people to look at an earlier statement from the county. It read, “We understand, much like a new house, there are kinks that need to be worked out and our team, in partnership with the other stakeholders, are up to the task.” Sounds like they’re staying optimistic!

The officials continued, “As we look 6 months to a year from now, we look forward to sharing the stories of how citizens are experiencing an even greater level of service than what they already are.” Here’s hoping that all the hurdles can be overcome in due time, allowing the new facility to meet its intended goals of better serving the community.

final Thoughts

While the reports of a gas smell caused a bit of a stir at the new Wayne County Criminal Justice Center, the outcome was reassuring. DTE Energy is on the case to find the source of the odor, and luckily, the building was found safe for employees. The jail might still have some bumps to iron out, but there’s a sense of hope that the future will be brighter at Detroit’s new criminal justice hub.