Sign in

Koby Levin

@kobylevin.bsky.social
460 followers 45 following 22 posts

Reporter for Outlier Media in Detroit.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 17/09/2026
Did you know the DPD searched the Flock network at least 26,330 times in less than a year — with searches in seven other states? DPD said the tech helps solve crimes. But residents are concerned about how much data is collected and where it's shared. The latest from @kobylevin.bsky.social:
outliermedia.org
Flock: How Detroit police are using license plate cameras
Detroit police officers searched Flock camera networks at least 26,330 times between June 2025 and May 2026.
175
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Please submit FOIAs! It'd be very challenging for anyone - or any single new org - to keep eyes on this issue alone, but the community can do it no sweat
000
Reposted by Koby Levin
Adam Yahya Rayes @rayesreports.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Local police have handed migrants to the Trump admin in hundreds of cases. In dozens of communities, deportations can begin with trivial issues: cracked windshields, jaywalking, tinted windows A @michiganpublic.bsky.social & @outliermedia.org investigation: www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-jus...
077
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 27/08/2026
Taylor police pulled over a pickup for its tinted windows. Minutes later, the driver and passenger were in Border Patrol custody. An Outlier Media and @michiganpublic.bsky.social investigation found that Michigan police agencies handed hundreds of migrants over to federal immigration authorities.
outliermedia.org
How local police help power Trump’s deportation machine
Some metro Detroit police departments are calling immigration authorities more often, upending lives over minor traffic violations.
2118
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
DNR agents reported a man to ICE after checking his fishing license michiganadvance.com/2026/08/12/d...
michiganadvance.com
DHS account, court records raise questions about DNR role in ICE arrest • Michigan Advance
On Oct. 18, 2025, ICE arrested and detained Jose Pedro Hernandez Lupercio in Brethren, Mich., along the Manistee River — and both records and official statements indicate that Michigan Department of N...
001
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 14/07/2026
Detroit has just one city-run public outdoor pool, and it’s closed for the summer. Recreation experts say that’s unusual for a city this size. Cleveland has 22 public outdoor pools. Indianapolis has 14. Should the city invest in more public pools? The latest from @brianarice.bsky.social:
outliermedia.org
Detroit’s only city-run outdoor public pool is closed for the summer
Detroit only has one city-run outdoor public pool — and it’s closed this summer for renovations.
22012
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 04/06/2026
Join @kobylevin.bsky.social and @brianarice.bsky.social , along with panelists from @michiganpublic.bsky.social, 482Forward and @michiganimmigrant.bsky.social for a discussion on reporting, transparency and public information. Hosted by @spj-posts.bsky.social. 🗓 Wednesday, June 10 | noon | Zoom
eventbrite.com
Signal Chats and Public Records: Tracking Trump's immigration crackdown
Join us for a discussion of challenges and best practices for gathering and disseminating information about the immigration crackdown in MI.
044
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 14/05/2026
What’s a free bus worth to Detroit students if it requires a 30-minute wait? The Sheffield administration is promising changes to long waits and poorly timed routes as students struggle to get to and from school on time. The latest from @kobylevin.bsky.social:
outliermedia.org
Free buses but long school commutes for Detroit students
Detroit students can now ride public buses for free, but routes and schedules still make it hard for kids to get to school.
064
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 15/05/2026
Detroit movie buffs, let’s see if you actually deserve the title. 🍿 No Googling. Senate Theater trivia thread below. Comment your score. 1. What year did the Senate Theater open? A) 1955 B) 1963 C) 1926 D) 1941
365
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 22/04/2026
In her first months in office, Mayor Mary Sheffield reupped promises to address Detroit's home repair crisis. But meeting the need will take hundreds of millions of dollars. One place she could look for inspiration? Her predecessor’s approach to demolition. The latest from @kobylevin.bsky.social
outliermedia.org
Can Sheffield match Duggan’s demolition program for home repair?
Former Mayor Mike Duggan’s ambitious Detroit demolition program could offer lessons for home repair.
022
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
AUA (ask us anything, lol) about home repair in Detroit! slightly star struck, I've never done one of these before 🫣 www.reddit.com/r/Detroit/co...
reddit.com
From the Detroit community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the Detroit community
020
Reposted by Koby Levin
Detroit Documenters @detdocumenters.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison suspended two officers for coordinating with Border Patrol in violation of department policy. He said he “intends to terminate them." Our public records request showed two more instances of officers calling immigration agents, with @kobylevin.bsky.social:
outliermedia.org
What we know about Detroit police calls to CPB at traffic stops
Detroit police officers coordinated with Border Patrol more often than the department acknowledged.
13343141690
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
wish I could go to this tbh detroit.documenters.org/workshops/au...
detroit.documenters.org
Audio Recording with Jack Filbrandt, WDET
June 12, 2025 | In this workshop, Documenters will learn skills, techniques and best practices for using a smartphone to record audio at public meetings. Documenters will have an opportunity to play w...
020
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Loved this story by my @outliermedia.org colleague Cydni Elledge outliermedia.org/sheefy-mcfly...
outliermedia.org
Artist Sheefy McFly finds his inspiration from Detroit
Detroit artist Sheefy McFly — DJ, painter, rapper and producer — said his signature style is inspired by the city.
011
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Amazing accountability work by @amondry.bsky.social @outliermedia.org outliermedia.org/realt-detroi...
outliermedia.org
RealT selling Detroit properties to crypto investors despite neglect
Former contractors say RealT is selling Detroit real estate to crypto investors while neglecting repairs.
041
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Just look at this A+ reporting and presentation from the Outlier team. What are you looking for from these candidates? Let us know. @outliermedia.org
010
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 01/05/2025
Nine candidates, one big job. This city deserves competent leadership — and we’re here to help you navigate this election: Who are the candidates? What do they stand for? And most importantly: How will they help Detroiters meet their biggest challenges? outliermedia.org/detroit-mayo...
outliermedia.org
Detroit mayoral race: What matters most to you?
What kind of information do you need in order to cast your vote in the Detroit mayoral race?
042
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
This #OutlierDay, I'm thinking about all the work we do behind the scenes at @outliermedia.org to improve Detroiters' lives. Several people recently used TXTOUTLIER, our SMS system, to flag issues with American Water Resources, a city-endorsed company that insures water and sewer lines.
131
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 18/03/2025
Detroiters with tax debt are getting letters from a Florida company saying: “This is not an offer to buy your property. Instead, it’s a way to resolve the tax burden while removing the property from your name.” Translation: You lose your home. They win. Watch out for this.
outliermedia.org
MJ Real Estate Solves targeting Detroiters with tax debt
MJ Real Estate Solves offers to pay off tax debts for Detroiters in exchange for the deed to their property.
0108
Reposted by Koby Levin
Aaron Mondry @amondry.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
An Ohio-based company is charging thousands of dollars in fees for Detroiters to help them claim proceeds from the tax auction -- a service other nonprofits offer for free. From @kobylevin.bsky.social outliermedia.org/gap-recovery...
outliermedia.org
Ohio-based company Gap Recovery targeting Detroiters for profits
Gap Recovery, an Ohio-based company, wants a cut of profits Detroiters are rightfully owed.
101
Reposted by Koby Levin
Aaron Mondry @amondry.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
This ongoing project has been led through the amazing work of @kobylevin.bsky.social and @detdocumenters.bsky.social Shiva Shahmir. outliermedia.org/meet-shiva-s...
outliermedia.org
Meet Shiva Shahmir, this month’s featured Detroit Documenter
This month's featured Detroit Documenter Shiva Shahmir says information is like radio waves: To receive the message, you’ll have to tune in.
032
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Today’s the súper bowl? I thought it was a day of mourning
110
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Packing seeds at Spotlite with Keep Growing Detroit is the perfect volunteer activity
Corn kernels sit on a table next to a cardboard box containing plastic seed
030
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
hoo boy @amondry.bsky.social is good at this
011
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 04/02/2025
Foreign investors are buying pieces of rental homes for $50. What could possibly go wrong? For tenants? Everything. Ignored repairs, unresponsive management, eviction letters, you name it. And yes, it’s happening here in Detroit. outliermedia.org/crypto-real-...
outliermedia.org
The real estate scheme gobbling up Detroit, one digital token at a time
RealT sells pieces of hundreds of Detroit rentals, often in cryptocurrency, to overseas investors. Tenants are the guinea pigs.
02218
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
I love this format and want to keep experimenting with it. When D'Juan read it, he said "it's basically like, when you read a book, and you basically get into the characters' mindset, you feel more connected to them than if you were just reading facts"
042
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 31/01/2025
We're ready for a restful weekend, but we had a question: If you could archive an iconic Detroit location that has closed, which would you choose? 🤔 Our pick: Paradise Theater! It once hosted renowned jazz entertainers like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. What's yours? Tell us below ⤵️
digital.blackbottomarchives.com
213
Reposted by Koby Levin
Outlier Media @outliermedia.org · 31/01/2025
Increased ICE enforcement put Detroit immigrants at risk. Advocates say education & mutual aid can keep families safe. #KnowYourRights ❌ ICE can’t enter without a warrant. 📝 Don’t sign anything you don’t understand. 🤫 Stay silent — except for your real name. outliermedia.org/rashida-tlai...
outliermedia.org
Rashida Tlaib, advocates call for supporting undocumented neighbors
Rashida Tlaib and other advocates are calling for neighbors to stand up for each other amid increased immigration enforcement.
064
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 08/12/2023
who's saying no when a source asks for a snail-mailed copy of the story because they don't mess with the internet??
000
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 05/12/2023
Let's talk about the toxic development cycle in Detroit. Industrial neighborhoods need investment to deal with legacy pollution — which tends to come from companies that bring more pollution. One hazard replaces another while the city stands by. 🧪 My latest: outliermedia.org/detroit-deve...
outliermedia.org
A new NorthPoint facility and Detroit’s industrial redevelopment tradeoff
NorthPoint Development LLC's development at an abandoned Detroit factory raises questions about plans to mitigate air pollution from trucks.
020
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 25/10/2023
The notion that a new medical treatment will completely eliminate any malady is often an ableist fantasy on closer inspection. I spoke with a person with sickle cell disease who is skeptical of new gene therapies, which are at once promising, harsh and risky. He said simply: "I like my life." 🧪
000
Reposted by Koby Levin
Charlie Loyd 🌯🛰️ @vruba.bsky.social · 09/09/2023
I do need some new tees.
A custom tee shirt design tool showing a shirt with the following text mocked up to be printed on it: “My opinions about LLMs (which I prefer not to call AI) are too involved to fit on a shirt; I think a productive discussion needs contexts, exceptions, and nuances that will not fit in a chest-sized summary. But I will just say, since there is a little bit more space here, that we ought to frame this first and most urgently as a labor issue, not an abstract philosophical question about the nature of creativity etc.”
611027
Koby Levin @kobylevin.bsky.social · 08/09/2023
‘Intolerant, aggressive jerks’: We’ve had it up to here with end-of-season yellow jackets outliermedia.org/yellow-jacke...
outliermedia.org
How to deal with swarming, stinging yellow jackets in Detroit
Mess with a yellow jacket in Detroit, and it will mess back. The wasps and their nests reach peak populations at this time of year.
010