Benton Harbor-5 Years Later BENTON HARBOR, MICH. (AP) (wgvu) - Five years after rioting in a small
area of Benton Harbor briefly focused the nation's attention on the
city's economic woes, signs of progress are everywhere.
Reports for many serious crimes are down, in some categories by
half or more. Educational and job-training opportunities have
grown. Hundreds of new homes have been built and hundreds more are
planned.
But Governor Granholm says much more remains to be done.
The rioting erupted June 16th and 17th, 2003, after officers
from neighboring Benton Township chased a speeding motorcyclist
into a Benton Harbor residential neighborhood. The motorcyclist
died when he crashed into a residence.
Angry rioters burned down a number of buildings, dozens of minor
injuries were reported, rocks were thrown and a Michigan State
Police trooper was fired upon.
Within days, the Democratic governor and Republican Congressman
Fred Upton arrived with promises of governmental assistance for the
struggling Berrien County city.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


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