Full Notification

On October 24th, a public safety department officer legally removed several signs in violation of Harper Woods City Ordinance. The signs included political signs for Rebekah Coleman and Daniel Palmer. Listed below are the signs removed and the location:

“Snake Drain” signs removed from the Kelly and Vernier easement

“Coleman” sign on Norwood and N Harper easement

“Buying Houses” signs on N Harper and S Harper at Vernier easements

“Palmer” sign on S Harper and W Vernier easement

“Coleman” sign on N Harper and Parkcrest easement

“Lucido” sign on N Harper near Mr. C’s Car Wash easement

“Coleman” sign on N Harper and Hawthorne easement

The three signs removed for violation of the ordinance were returned to Ms. Coleman and one sign in violation was returned to Judge Palmer.

To be transparent, public safety department personnel were advised to be sensitive to high tensions residents may be feeling during a year of COVID-19, political polarization and the terrible incidents across the country which resulted in demonstrations against racial injustice. Discretion was advised with enforcing sign violations regardless of political affiliation.

A NIXLE message was sent out immediately following allegations by Ms. Coleman that person(s) had been removing and / or damaging her signs. The Public Safety Department denounces any such behavior.

Each local candidate was advised on October 24th why signs were removed by the officer and both received a courtesy phone call today to ensure all placed signs comply with the ordinance.

As was stated in the NIXLE message, residents are encouraged to contact the public safety department if you feel person(s) including public safety personnel are removing and / or damaging political signs.

Mayor Valerie Kindle
Acting City Manager John Szymanski
Public Safety Director Vincent Smith