Troubles after dark

Could crime in Saginaw be on a rise?

By Latoya Williams

SAGINAW, Mich.- With the weather preparing to warm up, Saginaw’s night life sparks opportunities for conflict to arise, increasing the possibilities for crime to occur. How can big-time crime be offset in this relatively small city?

Are there other factors involved with Saginaw being in the top 10 for violent crime per capita — factors like unemployment, lack of affordable entertainment, blight and few substance abuse treatment facilities?

Crime rates are especially concentrated in specific areas of the city — ZIP codes 48601, 48602 and 48607 in particular. Burglary and theft have been more prevalent there over the past few years. 

This year there have been three homicides, seven nonfatal shootings and a list of other crimes that range from felonious assault to carrying a dangerous weapon. With a reported 944 violent crimes committed in the last year, this leaves residents wondering if this year will be another repeat. 

According to a local freelance journalist, there was another incident on S. Michigan Avenue where two men engaged in a violent assault that resulted in one of them being immediately transported to the county jail. 

“it’s very depressing to see the sheer amount of violence and crime that has been reported in the city limits, and this is coming from someone who has grown up here,” Saginaw local Mikaila Bluew said. “People already have such a negative view on Saginaw, and it’s only gotten worse with time.” 

In 2025, Saginaw experienced 14 homicides, only two of which were a result of non-gun related violence — and down from 23 in the previous year.

The victims consisted of both males and females that vary in age, the oldest being 75 and the youngest a one year old male who was shot in an Aug. 4 drive-by on Saginaw’s lower east side.