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
Detroit Board of Police Commissioners’ chief investigator works to reduce 800 backlogged citizen complaints
Bridge Detroit’s Bryce Huffman says many of these complaints were over procedures and officers’ demeanor toward city residents.
Not your standard voter guide: Detroit Documenters walks voters through the process
Detroit Documenters coordinator Noah Kincade says the guide helps voters navigate the process from the beginning, like figuring out where they stand on the issues.
Detroit Documenter Field Coordinator Says Program Teaches Detroiters About Each Other
Detroit Documenter Field Coordinator Vassilis Jacob says Documenters program teaches people about different communities.
Retired Detroit Public School Teacher Says Documenters Aids Community Engagement
Dorian Evans is a Documenter who has been taking notes at public meetings in Detroit since 2019. Evans says she joined hundreds of others in the program to stay involved and share that information with Detroiters.
Meet Detroit Documenter Lynelle Herndon
Herndon is one of the hundreds of people who have been trained and paid to attend and document public meetings since the Documenters program started in Detroit in 2018.
Detroit Documenter Says the Program Keeps Detroiters Well-Informed
Detroit Documenter Ada Nicole Smith says that the Documenters’ grassroots community enables her to stay connected to the city and relay information back to the community.
Detroit Documenters Provides the Community and Newsrooms With Meeting Information
Documenter Jacinda Cason says one reason the Documenters program is so valuable is because it would be impossible for one person to attend all the meetings Documenters cover.
Detroit Documenters Take a Closer Look at Public Meetings
Documenter David Palmer discusses bridging the gap between public meetings and newsrooms.
Minorities Make Up Increasing Share of Drug Overdose Deaths In Wayne County, Report Says
Experts predict overdose deaths in Wayne County to stay the same from 2018 to 2019, but trends show deaths increasing among communities of color.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib Staffer Is Named New Charter Revision Commissioner
Denzel McCampbell, Communications Director for Rep. Rashida Tlaib, will join the Charter Revision Commission after the previous Commissioner resigned.
Historic Detroit Commission Advises Against Ilitch-Linked Development of Downtown Theater
The Historic District Commission advises against two projects and the Charter Revision Commission has experienced turbulence on its board, in this week’s city meetings rundown.
Detroit Public Schools Get $5 Million For Mental Health Care Services
Detroit Schools students and teachers report that they feel unprepared for the social and emotional challenges faced on top of homework and tests. Two new initiatives aim to help.
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.
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