Driving Around Benton Harbor, Michigan in 4k Video

Filmed on Wednesday, May 31 2023, I drive around the lakeside town Benton Harbor, MI to see what's going on.

Benton Harbor was named after Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S. Senator from Missouri who helped Michigan achieve statehood and who was known for his support of westward expansion and his advocacy for the growth of the shipping industry.

In 1860, the village was laid out by Sterne Brunson, Henry Morton, Charles Hull and others, and given the name Brunson Harbor. It was renamed to Benton Harbor in 1866.

The city of Benton Harbor, Michigan, U.S., has had two major riots, both occasioned by issues arising between police and black residents of the city.

On August 30, 1966, a riot began after a meeting discussing police relations with respect to black residents. During the riot, a black 18-year-old named Cecil Hunt was killed in a drive-by shooting; suspects were arrested but the assault charge was later dismissed. Governor George W. Romney dispatched troops from the Michigan National Guard, who stood down on September 5 when the riot dissipated

In June 2003, several citizens in Benton Harbor demonstrated for two days when black motorcyclist Terrance Shurn, being chased by a police officer, crashed into a building and died. As many as 300 state troopers and law enforcement personnel from neighboring communities were called to Benton Harbor.

Benton Harbor also experienced smaller rioting in 1960, 1967, and 1990.

In 2009, the Michigan Treasury Department sent a team to look into Benton Harbor's finances. The team's report was a long list of mismanagement to the point that budgets were "effectively meaningless as a financial management tool." The city was $10 million underfunded in its pension fund and increasing budget deficits. In April 2010, Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Joseph Harris as Emergency Financial Manager. City staff was reduced by 30 to 70.

Harris was given expanded powers under a new law signed in March 2011 by Republican Governor Rick Snyder. On April 14, 2011, Harris suspended the decision-making powers of Benton Harbor's elected city officials, who can hold meetings but are not allowed to govern. The Michigan AFL–CIO president called the move "sad news for democracy in Michigan", but at least one city official, City Commissioner Bryan Joseph, supported it, saying the city had been mismanaged for decades.

In 2018, higher-than-acceptable levels of lead were found in Benton Harbor's tap water. Water was starting to appear "bubbly and white" to "brown", with a "horrible" taste and poor smell. This happened in parallel with the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.

Whirlpool Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of major home appliances, has its corporate headquarters in nearby Benton Charter Township.

As of the census of 2020, there were 9,103 people residing in the city, down from 10,038 in 2010.

The racial makeup of the city was 83.15% African American, 7.46% White, 0.26% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 3.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.13% of the population.

The median household income was $24,549 and the per capita income was $17,252. 43.6% of the residents were living below the poverty line.

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