We make tools, process data, provide training, and organize research that is driven by questions tha
03/01/2025
This is the second in our series of events to agitate fellow Detroiters about the growing uses of surveillance technology in this fine city that criminalize and jeopardize the safety of our neighbors and our neighborhoods. Come on out on March 6th for a free film screening, food, and a post-film discussion.
10/20/2024
Come on out to the first in a five part learning and action series on the state of police (+) surveillance in Detroit and beyond!
The city of Detroit holds contracts for multiple forms of surveillance technology that have been determined to have "no effect" on public safety by the National Institute of Justice, yet our council and mayor continue to approve procurement and renewal requests when DPD comes knocking. These technologies are designed to criminalize Black and brown people and are being used as one of many tools of gentrification. How did we get here? What can be done to resist the pervasive spread of surveillance tech in Detroit and elsewhere?
03/12/2024
On March 25th from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, join us online with activists and researchers from Chicago, Durham, Dayton, and Detroit working to challenge the use of gunshot detection technology. Shot Spotter, the gunshot detection technology used in Detroit, is one of several types of surveillance tech used in the city. In 2022, the DetroitnCity Council approved the latest ShotSpotter contract without following legislative protocol, which required an open period of community input and public comment. When activists mobilzed and filed a legal suit, the court sided with City Council and DPD. Though an appeal to the judge's egregious decision was submitted, ongoing organizing continues. More feet on the ground and minds at work are needed to prevent Detroit from becoming the most surveillance intensive city in the country.
This event will connect people from different city contexts, invite attendees to learn from one another and about the harms of this technology, and help us think about how to build effective campaigns and research strategies to refuse surveillance capitalism.
Event information can be found at https://bit.ly/urbanpraxis
09/05/2019
Address: 1448 Wabash
Owner: Dennis Kefallinos purchased from Manuel "Matty" Maroun (2018)
DBA: Boydell Developing Company, Brooklyn Properties Inc., Clark Street Enterprises LLC, Clay Street Enterprises LLC, Elizabeth Street Lofts Inc., Fort Properties LLC, Fort Rosa Properties Inc., Grand Lofts LLC, Harmonie Plaza Inc., Iron Street Properties, Ivory Properties Inc., John Bagley Properties LLC, Lafayette Lofts Inc., Lycaste Sreet Properties LLC, Metro Building Group LLC, Southeastern Building Group LLC, Southend Developing Group LLC, Southend Village Center LLC, Temple Plaza Inc., W-S Real Estate Inc., Woodward Building Plaza Inc.
Properties in Detroit: 222
"As of today (the) plan is to develop the building, subject to change LOL," - Chris Mihailovich, Kefallinos Executive, Crain's Detroit 2018.
09/03/2019
Address: 4027 Henry
Owner: Chris Ilitch
DBA: Blenheim Building LLC, Detroit Entertainment LLC, Elizabeth Street Properties LLC, Euclid Enterprises LLC, Grand River Property Holdings LCC, Kava Blue Properties LLC, Moose Building LLC, Ledyard Enterprises LLC, Nexus Properties LLC, Olympia Development of MI LLC, Olympia Entertainment Inc., Olympia Office Building LLC, Palushaj’s Olympia Coney Island, Proactive Logistic Solutions LLC, Singent Consulting LLC, TSD Solutions LLC, Urban Horticulture LLC, West Grand River Lofts LLC.
Properties in Detroit: 500
“Though it got lost in the post-announcement pep rally, Ilitch quietly revealed that he had secretly spent 15 years and over $50 million buying up around 70 Cass Corridor properties that he then left to decay” –Tom Perkins, Detroit Metro Times, 2017.
08/29/2019
Address: 976 Navahoe
Owner: Christian Meyer
DBA: CDM Homes Inc
Properties in Detroit: 108
“CDM Homes Inc will be conducting interviews in the coming weeks to see if you will fit into our upcoming 2015 Detroit Auction program. Are you ready for a slice of the American Dream?” -CDM Homes, Facebook, 2015.
08/27/2019
Address: 1552 Garland
Owner: Aamir Farooqi
DBA: Atomic Star LLC, Holland Green Investments LLC, Possibility 1 LLC, Possibility 2 LLC, Possibility 3 LLC, Saunders Investments LLC, Banyan Investments LLC, Banyan Property Management Services
Properties in Detroit: 157
“It’s like the California gold rush here” -Aamir Farooqi, National Geographic, 2017
08/22/2019
Address: 2401 20th Street
Owner: Dennis Kafellinos
DBA: Boydell Developing Company, Brooklyn Properties Inc., Clark Street Enterprises LLC, Clay Street Enterprises LLC, Elizabeth Street Lofts Inc., Fort Properties LLC, Fort Rosa Properties Inc., Grand Lofts LLC, Harmonie Plaza Inc., Iron Street Properties, Ivory Properties Inc., John Bagley Properties LLC, Lafayette Lofts Inc., Lycaste Sreet Properties LLC, Metro Building Group LLC, Southeastern Building Group LLC, Southend Developing Group LLC, Southend Village Center LLC, Temple Plaza Inc., W-S Real Estate Inc., Woodward Building Plaza Inc.
Properties in Detroit: 222
“None of Kefallinos’ residential properties are for sale. Part of the reason why is because almost all of them are tied up in lawsuits, according to MLive. The Russell Industrial Center property is also not on the market.” – Curbed Detroit, 2017
08/20/2019
Address: 11281 Courville
Owner: Eddie Hobbs
DBA: Artesian Equities LLC, BI Entity LLC
Properties in Detroit: 334
"... The property market in America is fundamentally different to here [in Ireland] ...”–Irish Central
08/15/2019
Address: 10460 Nottingham
Owner: Gideon Pfeffer
DBA: Precise Crof LLC, S & J Real Estate Investment LLC, Third Degree LLC
Properties in Detroit: 515
“All of Gideon’s various strategies are aimed solely to seek out opportunistic investment opportunities while weighing and assessing risk. Gideon seeks to achieve optimal returns for himself and his investors and achieves this goal by being one step ahead of the market.” -Portfolio Builders
08/13/2019
Address: 12067 Santa Rosa
Owner: Gerardo Lozano
DBA: Same
Properties in Detroit: 228
“Our experience as international brokers, developers and managers enables us to manage real property efficiently.” - https://www.e-inmsa.com/
08/08/2019
Address: 725 Whitmore
Owner: Sameer Beydoun
DBA: ACP MP Investments GM LLC, ACP Investments II LLC, ACP MO Investments LLC, ACP MP Detroit LLC, ACP MP Investments LLC, ACP MP Whitmore LLC, ACP Nash LLC, ACP Parkview LLC, ACP Roadmaster LLC, Distock MI LLC, First Metro Properties LLC, Metro Property Group LLC, R & S INC.
Properties in Detroit: 244
“The largest buyer of distressed homes in Detroit is accused of operating a multimillion-dollar international Ponzi scheme that bilked retirees of their nest eggs and contributed to neighborhood blight.” -Motor City Muckraker, Sept. 27, 2013.