[R. Scott]

"Suburbanites are taking the bodies of their relatives out of cemeteries because they're afraid to come to the city," Vogel said. "There are about 400 to 500 hundred (being moved) a year which shows you the depth of racism and fear."

Racism? No
Fear of violent crime? Yes.

[intoxicat]

I worked for a headstone company in Detroit for over 8 years - Crime in cemeteries was pretty common. Robbery in broad daylight, theft of bronze vases, urns benches and memorials. I've caught people stealing flowers for resale. My boss found a hooker in the truck when he was delivering a headstone. There was a shooting at one funeral and another where the grounds supervisor was given a broken nose punched in the face by gang members for not opening a sealed coffin (which by law, he cannot). Dead bodies were found dumped in a river at the cemetery across from us (two that I can remember). Police always looked there for missing persons.
But not only the crime problem but the upkeep of the cemeteries cause families to move their loved ones. Grass not mowed, memorials knocked over, graffiti and garbage everywhere. I was delivering a memorial to Mt. Hazel cemetery which the city had taken over two months before, the office was ransacked, cards (which contained info on where people are buried) were blowing all over the grounds. No one will ever know where anyone is buried in that cemetery unless they have a headstone (which most don't). Son House (famous blues legend) is buried there. It's a crying shame.

[Old Professer]

If I were dead, I'd be sending telegrams to get me out of there, too.