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# Why Detroit Filed For Bankcruptcy

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ggk9yJ59.m3u8" -->
## Video: Why Detroit Filed For Bankcruptcy

[Watch (HLS stream): Why Detroit Filed For Bankcruptcy](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ggk9yJ59.m3u8) (1:54)

![Why Detroit Filed For Bankcruptcy](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ggk9yJ59/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2013-07-19. Detroit officials explain their choice in filing for chapter 9 bankruptcy_


---

Jul 27, 2023 3:39 PM UTC

---

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---


## Transcript

This has been 60 years of decline. 60 years. And to put it in perspective, Detroit's population is less than, has gone down by 60 % since 1950, its high point. Over the last 10 years to 12 years it's down by over a quarter. If you look at the numbers on crime for example, Detroit's been in the top 10 most violent cities. 24, the last 27 years of it. This is not a recent development. This has been going on far too long, and isn't time to say enough is enough. Lets stop the decline. Lets get this stability. Lets get things working the right direction. Lets grow the city of Detroit and give better services to these well deserving citizens.

That decision had been made to file for chapter nine. One of the things that I wanna say to our citizens is that as tough as this is. I really didn't want to go in this direction but now that we are here we have to make the best of it. I think Kevin and the team that he has brought together has a lot of history of succeeding this is very difficult for all of us. But if it's gonna make the citizens better off then this is the new start for us. Services will remain open, pay checks will be made, bills will be paid. Nothing changes from the standpoint of the ordinary citizen's perspective. What this does do, is give us an opportunity to begin to address some of the city's overbearing debt which we have discussed at [ INAUDIBLE ] at this point.

Begin to provide the level of services, and address the health, safety, and welfare concerns of the citizens of the city. And move forward to a fresh start for this great city.

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