Residents report missed notices, liens and selective blight enforcement during public comment

Several residents told the Detroit City Council during public comment that notice and enforcement processes for blight and code violations are inconsistent and can result in liens or other penalties.

A caller identifying herself as "Warwick" said she received a collection notice after learning a "flight ticket" for long grass was mailed to an old address. "I never got the notice," she said, and added she had raised the issue at mayoral meetings without follow-up. Warwick also said enforcement appears selective: "It's also pretty clear there's a lot of selective blight enforcement going on."

Cindy Dara, a public commenter, urged the council to require convenience stores to provide outdoor trash cans and described practical problems with notices and liens. Dara said a lien can affect property transactions, noting that "when you have a lien on the property, you can't get a warranty deed. And all you can get is a quitclaim deed." She also said city inspection notices should make clear that a new inspection can be requested before a hearing and criticized a 30-day lien period as "ridiculous." (Quote paraphrased where transcript phrasing was nonstandard.)

Ronald Foster said enforcement officers should document city-owned blight to ensure equitable enforcement. "It is an injustice for them to ride past a city owned blighted building and enforce on citizens and not make a note about what it is that they see in their community," Foster said. "If they're able to come out and enforce in our communities, then they should be able to receive enforcement as well."

No council votes or formal directives were recorded during the public comment period. Staff said residents could send documentation for follow-up but no formal remedies were announced from the dais.