Detroit Free Press

Detroit block parties require permit

Other rules also apply for neighborho­od gatherings

- Jalen Williams Jalen Williams is an intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams­1@freepress.com.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Police Chief James White announced a four-step plan to address recent violence at neighborho­od block parties, including a weekend incident that left two people dead and 19 wounded.

The strategy includes a set of block party regulation­s and guidelines if residents wish to host a party at their homes. It also includes a new “Neighborho­od Response Team” within the police department that is specifical­ly designed to stop what the city officials say are illegal block parties.

“The level of violence resulting from block parties in recent weeks has increased to an unacceptab­le level that has now turned tragic,” Duggan said in a news release.

“Chief White and I have been in constant communicat­ion over the past two days, and we have a strategy we both are confident will make sure block parties in the city are held legally and safely.” What is an illegal house party?

City officials announced Monday that neighborho­od parties become illegal if:

Cars are parked on the sidewalks, h lawns or illegally on the street.

Partygoers loiter in public areas or h otherwise interfere with vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Music and noise are excessive, h which can be at any time but is enforced more strictly after 10 p.m.

Youth partygoers are not accompanie­d h by parent, legal guardian or responsibl­e adult at:11 p.m. when 17 and younger or 10 p.m. when 15 and younger.

What is a legal party?

Neighborho­od parties that are legal and don’t need a permit must be confined

to one property. They must not leak into the street or sidewalk.

In addition, music and noise must not be unreasonab­ly disturbing to the surroundin­g neighbors, city officials say.

If residents wish to have a block party (one that stretches outside of their private property), they must submit a permit 30 days before the event to close the entire street.

In order for the street to be closed, residents need 75% approval from fellow neighbors, be a resident themselves, pay a $75 fee and end by 10 p.m., city officials say.

To apply for the permit and see proper guidelines, residents can find them at https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2024-07/ Block%20Party%20Applicat­ion%20and%20Guidelin­es.pdf.

Only houses and block clubs registered with the Community Access Center are permitted to submit a block party applicatio­n.

For additional questions, contact your local Detroit Police Department (DPD) or Community Access Center.

What if residents don’t follow the rules?

Duggan has directed the City’s Law Department to support the Detroit Police Department with the prosecutio­n of party host and homeowners who spearhead illegal block parties.

Disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct are violations of the Detroit City Code, subject to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.

“Anyone who sees an unpermitte­d block party, or one that is spilling over the front yard or illegally parking on the streets, sidewalks or lawns, call 911 immediatel­y. DPD will treat this as a priority 1 call. Please work with us to keep your neighborho­ods safe,” White said.

 ?? ANDREA MAY SAHOURI/DETROIT FREE PRESS ?? Detroit Police Chief James White speaks at a news conference Monday, announcing a crackdown on block parties after a shooting Sunday morning that killed two people and injured 19.
ANDREA MAY SAHOURI/DETROIT FREE PRESS Detroit Police Chief James White speaks at a news conference Monday, announcing a crackdown on block parties after a shooting Sunday morning that killed two people and injured 19.

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