John Nichols yesterday won Detroit's mayoral election with a large margin over opponent Coleman Alexander Young.
Former police commissioner Nichols and the black state senator Young were competing among a voting population that is about 50-50 black and white.
According to a Detroit News poll, citizens considered crime control the main issue of the campaign.
As of the end of September, Detroit recorded the highest number of homicides and rapes of any of the nation's 25 largest cities. Detroit is the nation's fifth largest city.
Young promised to put 1000 more policemen on the streets if elected, and both Nichols and Young expressed concern at the widespread use of guns.
Nichols joined the Detroit police force in 1942 and became police commissioner three years ago.
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