Lefty Michigan town shells out $18K to yank neighborhood watch signs lawmakers said were racist: ‘Expressions of exclusion’
A Michigan city has spent about $18,000 to remove hundreds of neighborhood watch signs after local officials raised concerns about their impact.
More than 600 blue-and-white metal signs were taken down across Ann Arbor this week following approval from city leaders, who argued the signs could contribute to racial profiling and create distrust among residents, according to officials and local reports.
Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor said in a city-released video that the signs do not align with the community’s values. He described the city as welcoming and said leaders want to foster an environment that feels inclusive to all residents.
The city council voted unanimously in December to eliminate the signage, stating that the program no longer serves a meaningful public safety role and does not reflect the city’s current priorities. Officials also noted that the Neighborhood Watch program, which began in the 1970s, is largely inactive and cited research suggesting the signs have little effect on crime prevention while potentially encouraging biased monitoring.
Council Member Cynthia Harrison said some residents have experienced being questioned in their own neighborhoods, adding that the decision reflects an effort to ensure people feel comfortable and accepted in the community. She said removing the signs is intended to support that goal.
The cost of removal was covered using city reserve funds. Officials said residents can still stay informed about public safety through the Ann Arbor Independent Community Police Oversight Commission.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions, with some supporting the move as a step toward inclusivity, while others have criticized the cost and questioned whether removing the signs will have any impact on safety.
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