Several residents raised litter, park maintenance and public‑space safety during the public comment period of the May 27 Dearborn Heights City Council meeting, asking the city to increase enforcement and cleanup efforts.

Residents described persistent trash on streets, in parks and along school routes and called for a coordinated public campaign, increased enforcement, and more ordinance officers to issue citations. Rimal Haddad said she walks widely in the city, described long‑standing litter that she said had “been there for months and even years,” and asked whether the city had any programs to clear and prevent the buildup. Margaret King and Angela Venegas also urged more cleanup and parental responsibility for litter and child behavior in parks.

Department of Public Works Director John Dancy said DPW will assist with large obstructions and right‑of‑way problems but that routine litter abatement involves multiple city units (parks and recreation, administration, ordinance enforcement and contracted refuse service). Dancy said DPW had been asked to help with problem hotspots and acknowledged that crews and contractors respond to major issues; he said a social‑media and public‑education campaign, plus cooperation with parks staff and police, would be part of a larger solution.

Council members and the mayor said the council previously passed a resolution to add ordinance officers, but that hiring was a separate administrative decision. Council members said they had repeatedly requested the administration to deploy additional ordinance enforcement and to pursue tougher fines; at the meeting Councilman Hassan Saab and others reiterated support for stronger enforcement and stated that administration had not filled approved positions.

Parks Director also reported operational steps: the parks director said he planned to deploy park attendants to problem areas (noting an upcoming HR process), had arranged repairs and added lights where possible (some work required DTE), and said gates might be used to close parks at night if nighttime problems persist. Residents said problems at Van Houten Park and Silvery Lane (Manhuan Park) had been pronounced and wanted quicker repair of lights and more regular cleanups.

Why it matters: residents said the litter and park issues affect walkability, public health, and perceptions of city upkeep; council members said the administration and council need to coordinate enforcement, budgeting, and public outreach to reduce blight and recurring trash.

Ending: DPW and parks said they would continue targeted cleanups and report back to council with options for enforcement, public education and potential ordinance‑enforcement staffing; council members urged residents to continue to report problems and to use the city’s reporting channels.