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Sterling Heights highlights high voluntary compliance for code enforcement and launches 'CLEAR' traffic enforcement initiative
Summary
City presentations showed strong code-enforcement compliance rates and a new police program, CLEAR (Community Led Enforcement for Accident Reduction), which will use citizen input and data to target traffic enforcement and support Vision 0 safety goals.
City Development Director Jason Kaster told the council that Sterling Heights’ code‑enforcement model emphasizes voluntary compliance: about 98% of properties cited remedy violations before cases reached the Board of Ordinance Appeals, and the city’s 'Commercial Elevate' program has produced facade, landscaping and safety improvements through cooperative inspections.
Kaster said common recurring residential violations include outdoor storage, debris and tall grass; the city resolves many cases through notification and contractor cleanups when needed. He directed residents to report issues via code@sterlingheights.gov, telephone or the ClickFix app.
Police Chief Satterfield reviewed CLEAR (Community Led Enforcement for Accident Reduction), part of the city’s Vision 0 traffic-safety work. CLEAR uses citizen-submitted locations, radar/traffic data and task-force recommendations to direct enforcement. Chief Satterfield said the traffic bureau doubled dedicated traffic officers from 8 to 12 and piloted CLEAR through the traffic safety and directed-patrol units, tracking stops, warnings and crash statistics to measure effectiveness.
Council members asked for more detailed pedestrian crash reporting and emphasized balancing enforcement with community trust. Multiple councilors praised the crime‑prevention notice program, which leaves residents a non‑punitive notice after officers spot security hazards and triggers a follow‑up by a core officer.
