Nuisance Abatement Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Due to the large number of vacant and dangerous buildings among the school routes of students in Detroit Michigan, a School Safety Program was launched by the Wayne County Nuisance Abatement Program. While the program’s major function is to file lawsuits and force owners to repair or demolish their blighted or dangerous properties, the need to teach young students about these dangerous properties was ever present. In 2009, meetings with school principals were held to discuss the need for such an initiative. A mascot, Scrappy the Safety Dog was created and 22 presentations were made in Detroit schools. The students, all between kindergarten and fifth grade, received lessons about vacant properties, rules to follow and a coloring book to reinforce the less. They also have a dance contest with Scrappy. Days before the school program, which incorporates the use of a PowerPoint presentation, the Nuisance Abatement Program staff makes an inspection around the schedule school and takes digital pictures of all vacant structures within a two block radius of the school. This program has been well received by students, teachers and parents, and there is a constant demand by schools for Scrappy to perform.