DEARBORN—In an effort to increase enforcement of ordinances preserving Dearborn neighborhood standards and affecting quality of life issues, the Residential Services Department and ordinance officers from the Dearborn Police Department are working together on a comprehensive neighborhood blight initiative.

“This was a joint effort to address problems that have been discussed by City Council, the administration and city employees, as well as residents and business owners,” Dearborn City Council President Susan Dabaja told The Arab American News. “We felt that some areas of the city were falling below our standard we maintain in Dearborn.” 

Dabaja said that during budget study sessions, the council strongly felt the need to give attention to the city’s downtown area, business districts and neighborhoods. 

“There is a certain standard that we maintain and have come to expect in Dearborn and the Council intends on maintaining it,” she said. 

Both Dearborn City Councilman Mike Sareini and Dabaja say the council increased the budget for the Residential Services Department and Economic and Community Development Department in order to ensure that the initiative continues and that the needs are met. 

The most recent special enforcement period was held July 31 to Aug. 1 in the neighborhoods west of Telegraph, north and south of Michigan Avenue.

The citywide effort aims to increase compliance and address violations. It will focus on five key ordinance infractions:

• Removal of trash and recycling bins from the curb in a timely manner.

• Cleanliness of trash and recycling bins, including keeping the bins clean, lids closed, and trash properly bagged.

• Storage of any materials, junk, litter, debris and interior furniture on the exterior of the home.

• Overgrowth of grass, weeds and junk trees.

• Prohibited vehicle storage, including commercial vehicles, inoperable vehicles, and recreational vehicles stored for more than 72 hours.

Sareini said he has noticed a lot of businesses are not keeping their properties as clean as they can. 

“There are a few businesses that are so busy that they need to have their trash picked up more than once a week,” he said. “And a lot of them don’t even know that they have that option. All they have to do is call and request to have the trash picked up more than once a week. There may be a fee associated with it, but it is worthwhile. We don’t want to see trash overflowing at any business or home.” 

Trash pick-up is not a city service provided to businesses in Dearborn. Business owners who are interested in having their trash picked up more than once a week have to request it from the company that handles the service for them. 

Sareini also said residents can request a second garbage can from the city for a little more than $50.

The ordinances targeted for increased enforcement are included in year-round efforts by Residential Services to keep neighborhoods clean, safe and compliant with city ordinances. However, police department ordinance officers will assist with enforcement during peak times of the year.

“This comprehensive neighborhood blight initiative will result in better and faster enforcement of ordinances in our neighborhoods and supplement the year-round efforts of our Residential Services Department,” said Mayor John O’Reilly, Jr.

The effort builds upon the success of the South End Clean-Up in May, in which the City supported residents and local groups while they worked to spruce up the neighborhood, and also to educate the public about property maintenance ordinances.

Similar to the city’s neighborhood inspectors, ordinance officers will issue notices of violation. Residents in violation will be given a set amount of time to correct the problem, after which point abatement charges may apply or a ticket may be issued. 

Police Chief Ronald Haddad stressed that the police department will use its ordinance officers to assist in a coordinated effort to enhance compliance. No road patrol officers will be used in the effort.

“The police department’s ordinance officers are out in the city addressing violations such as prohibited parking and Public Service Days infractions,” Haddad said. “The overlap of ordinances means that our team can help combat property violations, to enhance the quality of life for all our residents.”

Additional special enforcement by ordinance officers will take place Aug. 25 and 26 in the neighborhoods west of Greenfield to the Southfield Freeway. Another period will be Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 in the Southfield and Outer Drive area.

“We have high standards in the city of Dearborn, there is not question about it,” Sareini said. “You won’t believe how many calls I get each week about for example people’s grass being too long. That isn’t fair to your neighbor.” 

Residents can report suspected violations, as well as violations at businesses, and building permit or structural problems to the Residential Services Department by calling 313.943.2161.