Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on Wednesday celebrated the Motor City’s perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign 2023 Municipality Equity Index.

Detroit’s crime rate, however, is third in the nation for murders, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics.

Detroit and several other large Michigan cities scored 100 on the HRC’s MEI. Among the MEI metrics used to determine municipal scores are whether cities offer “inclusive health care policies for transgender employees or transgender family members of employees.”

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Ferndale, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor also were awarded perfect scores. Sterling Heights scored 99 on the MEI, and East Lansing scored 98.

Each town was ranked according to scoring on non-discrimination laws; municipality as employer; municipal services; law enforcement; and Leadership on LGBTW+ Equality.

In a tweet, the mayor noted about his administration: “We work everyday [sic] to ensure that our policies and practices protect and support the LBTQ+ community.”

I couldn’t be more proud that Detroit received the maximum score on the Human Rights Campaign’s municipal Equality Index.

We work everyday to ensure that our policies and practices protect and support the LGBTQ+ community.

— Mayor Mike Duggan (@MayorMikeDuggan) November 29, 2023

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In another tweet, the mayor added: “Our commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and equality for all residents is unwavering and we are dedicated to creating a city where everyone can thrive.”

Our commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and equality for all residents is unwavering and we are dedicated to creating a city where everyone can thrive.

— Mayor Mike Duggan (@MayorMikeDuggan) November 29, 2023

Responses to Duggan’s tweets ranged from skepticism to extremely harsh. Most of them referred to the city’s high crime rates.

It's 3rd in the country for murders.
Seriously?

— Darryl Gross (@DarrylGross5) November 29, 2023

And what is your crime rate?

— Idget🦬 (@Idget_500) November 29, 2023

You should worry about crime statistics and employment rate. Throw in a little inflation since you’re so fond of numbers.

— Scott Ward (@ScottWa10765507) November 29, 2023

Detroit ranks third nationally for murder rates. According to FBI data, the city’s murder rate in 2022 was 49.1 deaths per 100,000 residents. Only New Orleans (71.9) and Baltimore (50.3) registered more homicides.

The data shows Detroit’s violent crimes have decreased 1.2% between 2020 and 2022. By contrast, homicide rates have decreased 6.1% nationwide while overall violent crimes nationwide declined 1.7%.