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Residents urge stronger leash enforcement, better bike‑safety response and changes to burning rules
Summary
During public comment, residents called for more enforcement of the leash law at city parks after a recent incident, asked police to avoid stopping vehicles in bike lanes and to take cycling safety reports seriously, and requested updates to open‑burn rules to allow smokeless or propane fire pits.
Several residents used the public‑comment portion of the meeting to press the council and staff on neighborhood safety and nuisance issues.
Matt Helms, a long‑time Ferndale resident, described repeated incidents at Harding Park where dogs off leash chased children. “There are too many people who think their dogs are exempt from the city's leash law,” Helms said, urging increased enforcement, park signage and police follow‑through after calls.
Rochelle Bono, a Hazel Park resident and frequent Ferndale visitor who described herself as a cyclist with a disability, said she has reported reckless drivers to Ferndale police and felt dismissed; she also raised concerns that officers stopping cars in bicycle lanes forces cyclists into traffic and said she seeks policy or training changes to prevent those safety risks.
Barbara Blaze requested that the city revisit its open‑burn ordinance to allow modern smokeless or propane fire pits so nearby neighbors need not close windows from lingering smoke; the fire department responded later in the meeting with guidance on burn permits and the city’s $25 annual permit for wood burning.
Councilmembers and department staff acknowledged the concerns: communications staff offered to provide call‑tracking data for the new phone‑tree operator extension, police and fire staff reiterated safety guidance and enforcement options, and the council heard a request to consider more signage and clearer enforcement for parks. The meeting record does not show immediate new policy directives; residents were advised to contact departments for follow‑up and staff said some items will be examined further.
