Some Bangladeshi immigrants are concerned about what they say is an increase in crime in their neighborhoods in Detroit near the Hamtramck border.

On Sunday, many from the Bangladeshi-American community protested in Detroit off Conant south of Davison, chanting, "Stop violence" and "Enough is enough."

A town hall is planned in coming weeks to address the issue of crime. Resident say they want more help from police and city officials, saying they've had more robberies, carjackings and shootings this year.

On Oct. 17, a factory worker and father of two who's an immigrant from Bangladesh, Saleh Ahmed, was shot several times on his porch on Klinger Street at about 6 a.m. after he answered the door, said Bangladeshi-American advocates.

He's currently recovering at Detroit Receiving Hospital, said community leader Md Alam. It's unclear what motivated the shooting, which is being investigated by police.

"It's getting worse and worse," Nazel Huda, president of the Bangladeshi Association of Michigan, said of crime. "It's just sad."

Crime stats for the area were not forthcoming from police.

But Huda and others say there have been more robberies this year. Many in the community try to visit the mosque for prayers in the early morning hours, but there has been reduced turnout recently over fear of crime, said residents.

"Many of our elderly people are very scared to go to the prayers in the morning," Alam said. "If this doesn't change, people will leave Detroit."

The fears come as the community is trying to grow what is called "Banglatown," an area in Detroit and Hamtramck where about one-third of the residents are of Bangladeshi descent. Metro Detroit has the third highest number of Bangladeshi-Americans in the U.S. and the highest concentration of people who speak Bengali, the primary language spoken in Bangladesh.

Gov. Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan have spoken in the past about how immigrants from Bangladesh and other countries can help revitalize the city. But unless crime is dealt with, they won't be able to make the area a thriving place, said residents.

Contacted by the Free Press this week, Detroit Police did not comment on the concerns of the community or the shooting of Ahmed.

Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski, whose city is about one-fourth Bangladeshi and borders the Detroit area with many Bangladeshi immigrants, said she sympathizes with the concerns and works with Detroit Police on fighting crime across borders.

"We're keeping an eye on it," she said. "Our police do cross the border if there's an issue. "We don't stop at the border if there's an issue that affects Hamtramck."

"That's a porous border, and we see each other, we shop in the same place, we bank in the same place, same community organizations and so anything that happens over our border in those neighboring communities is still part of Hamtramck."

Majewski said City Hall employees can help assist with translation for police if needed.

On Saturday, Bangladeshi immigrants met with Detroit Police leaders at a community forum at the Islamic Center of North Detroit, said Bangladeshi-American community leader Asm Kamal Rahman.

Residents voiced their frustrations, while police said they sometimes have difficulty trying to interview witnesses when crimes do occur. Police said they were having difficulties getting information from neighbors after the shooting of Ahmed last week.

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Bangladeshi immigrants also cited fears about immigration status that prevent some from talking to police, in part because of the U.S. government's toughening of immigration enforcement.

Bangladeshi-Americans are trying to help keep the community safe with radio patrols, said Rahman.

Community advocates say that political leaders only come to their community for votes, but after the elections ignore them. They say neighborhood concerns are being ignored in Detroit.

"We're not getting any response from them," Huda said. "Any time they need a vote, they come to us, but they're not doing anything. ... As soon as they win, they act like they don't know us."

Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson, whose district includes Banglatown, said the city of Detroit is committed to helping the Bangladeshi-American community and is working on developing Banglatown with projects such as affordable housing.

"We have a very strong presence in Banglatown," Benson said.

At the rally Sunday, protesters held a signs that read "We want justice" and a large banner with Ahmed's photo on the hospital bed that read: "Stop Violence. Innocent man is shot in front of his home in Detroit. Make our city safe! Protect our people!"

"People are really scared and worried," Alam said.

Many in the Bangladeshi community are working-class and struggle on meager wages. Ahmed, the man who was shot, works in an auto parts factory on the line, said Huda. He was getting ready for work when he was shot.

The community is trying to raise money for Ahmed, who has two children, and his family.

If people don't feel safe, they will leave the city, Huda said.

"We're tired of this, just frustrated," he said.

Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or 313-223-4792. Follow him on Twitter @nwarikoo