Detroit Police giving gas stations special attention

The Detroit Police Department said their statistics show a high number of the city's carjackings are happening at gas stations, so they're giving them special attention.  However, there are others who say there are plenty of other areas in the city that need that kind of attention.

"The neighborhood is not what it used to be," said Tim Habhab.

He is one of many Detroit gas station owners who say crime around their businesses is out of control.  They have been meeting with police to see something done, and less than two months after Pastor Marvin Winans was carjacked at a station on Detroit's east side, the Detroit Police Department issued an internal message directing all patrol officers to give special attention to gas stations.

"They're supposed to stop by and sign this," said clerk Ahmed, referring to a document proving that an officer made a special stop.

"It's good to have a police officer present every now and then unexpected," Habhab said.

However, there are some Detroiters who say asking officers to give special attention to gas stations at a time when resources and police officers are spread so thin sends a bad message.

"I think they need to hire a private security for that," said Ronnell Jackson.

One clerk said he doesn't see anything special about the attention his station is getting.

"They really don't come in that often," Ahmed said.

However, owners like Habhab say this is a step in the right direction.

"It makes a big difference, especially at night.  If the police are more present at night, it would make a big difference."

Officers are doing this at banks, as well.  We're told they're only being asked to stop by between runs.