By JAMES PRICHARD
Associated Press Writer
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) - With the exception of apparent arson fires in five vacant buildings, peace reigned in this city for a second straight night following two nights of riots and high tensions.
No one was hurt in the fires reported separately Friday morning near the site of the riots that erupted earlier this week after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash while fleeing police.
On Thursday, the city began demolishing 40 vacant buildings, including some that were burned during the riots, sheriff's spokesman Deputy Chris Corteville said.
Several hundred officers from state police, Benton Harbor, the sheriff's office and neighboring police agencies took to the streets for the third night in a row.
After officials decided it would be safe, some local officers were given a break and a platoon of state troopers remained on duty, Corteville said.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson accepted an invitation to speak Friday morning at the city's Bobo Brazil Center, Mayor Charles Yarbrough said.
The beefed-up, organized police presence brought a near-halt to the unrest Wednesday night, when only one related arrest was reported. Police arrested nine suspects at the height of rioting Monday and Tuesday nights. One suspect was accused of shooting at officers Tuesday night.
As day turned to night Thursday, about 20 police cruisers with lights flashing, two state police armored vehicles and about 30 officers in riot gear barricaded an intersection in a riot-torn neighborhood.
Children sitting on bicycles and adults relaxing on porches watched with curiosity.
``Most of the people are friendly,'' said sheriff's Capt. Robert Greer. ``They're not out here to cause any harm.''
Benton Harbor, a city of 12,000 people about 100 miles northeast of Chicago, is 92 percent black. Since the rioting, many residents have said they distrust police officers, particularly white officers.
The motorcyclist who died, Terrance Shurn, 28, was black. The police officers from neighboring Benton Township who pursued him into Benton Harbor, where he lost control of his bike and crashed, are white.
The subsequent rioting involved hundreds of people roaming a six-to eight-block area, setting fires and attacking passers-by, police officers and firefighters. At least 11 people were hurt.
On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Jennifer Granholm had what she called powerful, frank meetings with community leaders, and also met separately with police and Shurn's family.
She called for reconciliation and healing. ``The state must wrap its arms around this community,'' she said.
