Don’t get caught slipping on Detroit sidewalk maintenance

December 17, 2025

Detroit has issued only 71 citations for snow and ice removal violations since 2019, despite city ordinances requiring property owners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall. The majority of these violations involve absentee landlords, with 62% of ticketed properties owned by people living outside Detroit, who account for 68% of unpaid fines totaling over $4,000. Meanwhile, the city has introduced an AI chatbot called "Emily" to help residents in Districts 3 and 4 report issues like icy sidewalks, though early testing revealed significant limitations in the system's ability to provide accurate information or connect callers to human representatives.

Who is affected

Property owners who received blight tickets (71 total, with 44 being out-of-town owners)
Detroit residents who use sidewalks and bike lanes affected by snow and ice
District 3 and 4 residents who interact with the "Emily" AI chatbot
City employees, including former District 4 Manager Nicholas Barnes (no longer with the city) and District 3 Manager Kayana Sessoms
Incoming Mayor Mary Sheffield and her administration
Incoming Council Member Denzel McCampbell (District 7)

What action is being taken

Residents are reporting unsafe iced-over sidewalks through the Improve Detroit platform and by calling District Managers at the Department of Neighborhoods
Detroit has launched an AI-powered chatbot called "Emily" to help District 3 and 4 residents access city resources
Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield is announcing her first hires, including Brian White as deputy mayor and retaining Police Chief Todd Bettison
The City Council is preparing to resume meetings on January 5 to select a new council president and president pro tem

Why it matters

The low number of enforcement actions (71 tickets over five years) and high rate of unpaid fines from absentee landlords highlights gaps in Detroit's ability to ensure public safety on sidewalks during winter months. With 68% of unpaid fines owed by out-of-town property owners, the city faces challenges in holding non-resident landlords accountable for maintaining safe pedestrian infrastructure. The introduction of AI technology to handle resident service requests raises concerns about accessibility and effectiveness when the system cannot provide accurate information or connect residents to human assistance for complex issues.

What's next

The City Council will resume meetings on January 5, with the first order of business being the selection of a new council president and president pro tem
Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield is expected to make more staff appointment announcements
Detroit's "ShotSpotter" gunshot surveillance technology contract is up for renewal in June 2026, setting up a potentially contentious debate
The annual Detroit Policy Conference will be held on January 29 at Hudson's Detroit, where outgoing Mayor Duggan will speak about his vision for the state

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com