Dearborn council adopts parks‑hours change for Homecoming, police introduce temporary curfew ordinance

The Dearborn City Council on July 14 adopted an amendment to the Parks and Recreation chapter of the city code to require juveniles under 18 attending the Ford Field Park Homecoming Festival after 4 p.m. to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The ordinance (26-18-69) passed on final reading with seven ayes and took immediate effect.

Police Chief Issa Shaheen briefed the council on a companion temporary curfew amendment the department brought forward for first reading. ‘‘We are going to have a requirement to have a parent or guardian after 4PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at homecoming,’’ Shaheen said, explaining the curfew measure would be used, in limited circumstances, to address spillover disturbances in surrounding business and neighborhood areas after 9 p.m.

Council members described the change as forward‑looking safety planning for a festival that draws large crowds and nonresident visitors. The mayor and chief said the city will use controlled entry points and public information to ensure compliance; the chief added officers had observed tactics used successfully in other communities and planned to position rides and entry areas to prevent dangerous crowding.

The parks‑hours amendment applies specifically to Ford Field Park during Homecoming operations through the festival dates; the curfew ordinance (26-18-71) was introduced and scheduled for future readings. City officials said they will use social media and other communications to publicize the new rules before the August Homecoming dates so families, nonprofits and vendors understand the requirements.

What happens next: Ordinance 26-18-71 (curfew amendment) was introduced at first reading and will return for subsequent readings. The adopted parks‑hours ordinance is in effect immediately for the Homecoming dates.