Woman makes statement with Halloween display of real life horrors

DETROIT (WJBK) - Several shocking, controversial displays can be in front of a home on Detroit's west side.

The decorations depict victims of police shootings, neighborhood violence and even the Flint water crisis. And this isn't the first time these homeowners have used Halloween to make a statement  depicting a dead body on their doorstep just last year.

The real-life horrors in Larethia Haddon's yard are on Mendota Street.

"The kids aren't afraid of the boogey man anymore," she said. "They say grandma, we're scared to go outside and play."

Larethia Haddon, owns controversial Halloween display. Six dummies were put out to represent what  is all too real for thousands of people affected by violence, and discrimination.

"A lady was standing out here yesterday looking at the scene and she was just crying, just breaking down in tears," Haddon said. "So I came out and I just held her."

She only puts the display out in the daytime, and every day it's drawing a crowd.

"It's definitely thought-provoking," said Kevin Mays, who came out to see the display. "It's addressing a whole lot of issues that are going on right now. "

Some people are worried when they first see the display, thinking the dummies are actual people. Some people even call the police.

"At first I did think something was wrong but when I looked at it, and started to read, I'm like, oh, Flint water, I get it. A book bag bombing, I get it," said Alesia Diaz.

Last year, the police were sent to the home several times to make sure nothing was wrong, and that's when Haddon had only one dummy on her lawn.

"If you're going to get this much attention, you need to do something that's going to make people aware of the situations that are going on," she said. "If we don't open our eyes and see what's going on, it's just going to keep on happening."

She's also inviting everyone who stops by to join her for a prayer at her church 5 p.m. Wednesday at House of Prayer, 13001 Fenkell.

"We have to start reaching out and helping each other," she said. "If we don't this scene in my yard is going to continue to be a reality.