The city of Detroit has issued 71 blight tickets to property owners for failing to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks since 2019.

The majority of property owners who were ticketed (62%) don’t live in Detroit. BridgeDetroit turned the data into an interactive map showing where tickets were issued. 

Residents can report unsafe iced over sidewalks to the Department of Public Works through the Improve Detroit platform, or by calling their District Manager at the Department of Neighborhoods.

City ordinances require property owners to remove snow and ice within 24 hours after snow has fallen to ensure sidewalks are safe for public travel. Violating the code can result in a $50 fine on first offense for one or two family homes, or a $100 fine for all other buildings. Fines increase with subsequent offenses.

Detroit data shows $5,945 in fines were collected from 31 tickets since 2019. Thirteen tickets were dismissed while 27 tickets worth $6,145 remain unpaid.

Forty-four tickets were issued to property owners who don’t live in Detroit, including seven property owners who don’t live in Michigan.

Out of town property owners owe Detroit $4,195 in for blight tickets, representing 68% of all unpaid snow removal fines. City data shows 13 tickets were issued in this year between January and February. No tickets have been issued yet during the current winter season. 

National Weather Service Data shows Detroit received three inches of snow and precipitation last week before temperatures dropped into the 20s, turning melted snow into sheets of ice.

The Improve Detroit page shows several reports of unsafe sidewalks across the city in December, while others are venting online about slick walkways near vacant lots along major streets. Some residents are also reporting iced and snowed over bike lanes. 

What page are we on? 

The City Council will resume its meetings on Jan. 5. The first order of business is to select a new council president and president pro tem.

Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield announced her first hires: She will appoint longtime adviser Brian White to deputy mayor of the city of Detroit and retain Police Chief Todd Bettison. More announcements are expected. Keep up with the new administration by following our transition tracker.

What should District 7 residents expect from their new council member? We interviewed Denzel McCampbell about his approach to co-governing and how he’s preparing to take on the job next year. I’ve been attempting to reach incoming District 5 Council Member Renata Miller, too, but haven’t heard back from her yet. 

Detroit’s new AI assistant      

Detroit launched an AI-powered chat bot to help District 3 and 4 residents access city resources.

“Emily” was developed by Believe In AI, a Detroit-based company. I’m a District 4 resident, and had some icy sidewalks to report, so I called the district manager phone number listed online (313-236-3518) and was connected to the chat bot.

It was an uncanny experience. The bot imitated a woman’s voice and simulated busy office sounds in the background. It accidentally called me “Derrick,” probably mishearing my last name, but asked a few sensible follow-up questions and told me I should expect a follow-up within 48 hours.

The bot initially said the report would be sent with the neighborhood services team in District 3, but assured me it would go to the District 4 team after I clarified where I live. I ran into a bit of trouble when I asked who would be following up.

“Emily” said it doesn’t have the District 4 manager’s contact information, but I could call the Department of Neighborhoods, which was the number I had already called. The bot said it’s unable to transfer calls to a human representative.

I received a call back two hours later from District 3 Manager Kayana Sessoms, who confirmed my report was filed and said a Department of Public Works crew would check it out. 

She also let me know District 4 Manager Nicholas Barnes is no longer working with the city despite being listed on its website. She recommended District 4 residents contact Eboni Deberry at (313) 236-3520 or eboni.deberry@detroitmi.gov.

I’m curious to hear the experience of other people who use the chat bot, and how it holds up to stress testing. I asked if Duggan should be the next governor of Michigan, but “Emily” wisely avoided answering.

“That’s a bit outside my wheelhouse,” the bot said. “I’m here to help with Detroit neighborhood services and city resources, so politics isn’t really my area.” 

Barrett’s bookmarks    

Here are some things I’m reading and learning about this week:

Detroit’s contract for “ShotSpotter” gunshot surveillance technology is up for renewal in June 2026, setting up a potentially contentious debate over its effectiveness. Sheffield voted against the prior contract in 2022, but it narrowly passed 5-4. Earlier this year, the Michigan Court of Appeals found the contract violated a surveillance oversight law that Sheffield championed.

Reporting from the Michigan Advance noted that Detroit officials don’t actually know the precise locations where audio sensors listen for gunshot sounds. We reported this aspect of the tool back in 2023, but the Michigan Advance story takes a deeper look at why it matters.

Ebony Magazine ranked Sheffield’s historic victory among the Top 25 moments in Black culture this year.

Outlier Media also put “Emily” to the test and encountered similar issues that leave reporters wondering how useful the tool will be for residents, especially when they’re trying to track down specific information on the city’s website. 

Sheffield joined a radio fundraiser for SAY Detroit as it redevelops a gym formerly part of St. Cecilia’s church on the city’s west side. The iconic facility was a stomping ground for former Mayor Dave Bing and NBA stars like Isiah Thomas and Jalen Rose.

Sheffield told SAY Detroit Founder Mitch Albom her new husband, Rickey Jackson, also has fond memories of playing in the gym. The campaign raised a record-high $2.5 million.

State Rep. Stephanie Young introduced legislation that would prohibit landlords from requiring applicants from having to disclose their criminal history during the renter screening process.

Duggan will still get a prominent speaking slot at the annual Detroit Policy Conference next month as he ramps up his independent candidacy for Michigan governor in 2026. Duggan will share his vision for the state in a session sponsored by Rocket.

City Council members will host their usual forum slot at the end of the conference, which will be hosted at Hudson’s Detroit on Jan. 29. Sheffield isn’t listed among the speakers so far. She was invited to participate by the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Council Member Mary Waters downplayed the result of a recent poll that found Duggan trailing behind Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican U.S. Rep. John James in the 2026 gubernatorial race. During an appearance on Fox 2, Waters said Duggan could surprise pundits as the race evolves.