Business owners press Mount Clemens commission for immediate action on downtown homelessness and safety

Multiple downtown business owners used the public-comment period to report assaults, thefts and sanitation problems that they say are deterring customers and threatening local businesses.

Eric Super, who identified himself as a local business owner at 61 North Walnut, said the downtown park area is repeatedly the site of assaults and public defecation and that law-enforcement responses have not solved the problem. "We're having multiple issues ... they are defecating all over the park," Super said, describing assaults and a police response that he said failed to prevent repeat incidents. Kyle Bersicker, who described himself as Super's partner and co‑owner of Your Mother's Food and Spirits, said he had witnessed assaults that left victims unconscious, reported thefts from business restrooms and urged the commission for immediate relief including temporary parking options behind nearby businesses.

Commissioners acknowledged the complaints and emphasized urgency. Commissioner Dempsey said the situation required immediate attention and called for a meeting with the sheriff's department. Commission discussion included suggestions to convene a special work session and to explore short-term parking access behind businesses during construction to ease economic pressure.

The mayor and city staff did not propose a definitive enforcement plan during the meeting; commissioners asked staff to coordinate with the sheriff’s office and report back. Several commissioners said they will seek solutions that do not conflate homelessness with criminality while prioritizing downtown safety and business viability.

Next steps: commissioners agreed to pursue a meeting with the sheriff’s department (timing to be scheduled) and to consider temporary parking relief and additional foot patrols as part of an expedited response.