Multiple Highland Park department heads updated residents on services, staffing and community programs at the meeting.

Fire Chief Pat Payne listed department accomplishments this year: a hydrant steamer to thaw frozen hydrants, a new utility pickup, acquisition of a fire truck from Schwartz Creek Fire Department, distribution of fire blankets and smoke/carbon-monoxide detectors, community CPR classes with AmeriPro, and participation in public events including a firefighter-run haunted house and trunk-or-treat. Payne said the department has 25 full-time firefighters, three fire engines, one ladder truck, five support vehicles and that call volume is at or above last year's high.

A police representative speaking for Chief McMahon reported a slight uptick in violent crime largely tied to domestic incidents, the recovery of 129 firearms removed from local circulation (scheduled for destruction), community engagement work including a chaplain corps and an officer wellness/resiliency program, and a Dec. 12 hiring event at the recreation center.

Parks and recreation staff described a near-$1 million SPARK grant to upgrade Ives/Reggie McKinsey Field (bids selected; contracts pending council approval) and a planned January event with the Joe Louis Greenway partnership. Senior coordinator Sonya Davenport reported daily congregate meals for 10'20 seniors, programming at the Hannon Center, and continuing efforts to secure reliable transportation for seniors.

DPW supervisor Kim Redmond summarized cleanup efforts (grass cutting, alley cleanups, overgrowth trimming), no-parking sign replacements and curbside/bulky-item pickup procedures, and provided a DPW yard address and phone number for recycling and reporting illegal dumping.

Officials also promoted city events: a Saturday food distribution at the Highland Park Justice Center (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), the ongoing toy drive with drop-off at the justice center, and the Dec. 6 tree-lighting where a Santa arrival will ride in on a fire truck.

The meeting closed with a public Q&A on squatters, HUD-owned vacant homes, the status of a 50-light solar streetlight pilot and the Joe Louis Greenway completion timeline.