Public meetings are important spaces for democracy where any resident can participate in civic life and hold public figures accountable.
Detroit Documenters trains and pays highly engaged citizens to participate in the news-gathering process and contribute to a new public record for the city.
You can now search locations, dates, times and official records for all of Detroit’s public meetings – and sign up to become a Documenter – at Documenters.org.
Documenters is a collaboration between WDET 101.9 FM, City Bureau, CitizenDetroit, Detroit Detroit, Detroit Free Press, and Outlier Media.
Recent
Is My Water Safe to Drink? In Some Communities, There’s No Easy Answer
After the Flint Water Crisis, Michigan regulators instituted strictest-in-the-nation water quality standards. But that’s only the beginning for cities like Highland Park, which face public perception and funding challenges in replacing old infrastructure.
Detroit Police Oversight Board Confronts Abuse of Authority Report
In our local news roundup, tensions over a troubling Inspector General report at the Police Commissioners meeting and a new development moves forward.
Group Recommends Police Oversight Changes, Stripping Mayor’s Office of Appointment Power
A focus group reviewing Detroit’s charter recommends changes to civilian oversight of Detroit Police and the Regional Transit Authority readies a plan for 2020.
Murals in the Market Could Be Impacted As Historic Designation Process Moves Forward
The city is considering naming the area an official historic district, which would give a city board authority over approving new murals going forward. Local businesses have concerns.
Highland Park Residents: Text WDET With Your Concerns About Water Quality
101.9 WDET is partnering with Outlier Media on a reporting project to help Highland Park residents identify gaps in the city’s response to lead detection in tap water.
Wayne County Prosecutors to Review 300 Cases Involving Claims of Innocence
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office is collaborating with Western Michigan’s Innocence Project and the City Planning Commission made changes to zoning regulations in public meetings last week.
Detroit Police: New Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Will Have Minimal Impact on Operations
The civil asset forfeiture laws passed earlier this year would institute higher requirements on the controversial practice, but Detroit Police don’t expect dramatic changes.
Activists Confront Water Board, Education Commission Expands After School Bus Service
Building tension over water shutoffs emerged as activists from Hydrate Detroit confronted the Board of Water Commissioners last week.
Highland Park Turns Attention to Water Line Repairs, Funding, After Lead Scare
Testing for elevated lead levels continues, but city officials and residents are focused on costly infrastructure repair.
3,499 Detroit Homes Had Water Shutoff In July. That’s An Improvement.
Shutoffs are down 50 percent compared to last year, and the Ilitches want to build a new parking lot in our latest city news roundup.
School Suspensions, State Surveillance: Detroit News You Missed this Past Month
Tensions emerged during School Board and Police Commissioners meetings over how best to tackle discipline in school and on the streets, with the latter prompting civil rights concerns.
WDET Hires Civic Reporter to Cover City Meetings with Detroit Documenters
WDET’s Eleanore Catolico will work with the Detroit Documenters program to find and interpret news emerging out of public meetings.
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