City Briefs for January 2012
THE DETROIT FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFERS RESIDENTS FREE HOME FIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS
The Detroit Fire Department is offering senior citizens and other Detroit residents free smoke detectors, including installation, home fire safety inspections and a fire escape plan. The inspections are an ongoing service offered year-round. To arrange for a free inspection and for more information regarding this and other fire safety programs, call the Detroit Fire Marshal Division, Public Instruction Section at (313) 596-2968.
CITY OF DETROIT MUNICIPAL PARKING DEPARTMENT TESTS NEW SINGLE-SPACE METERS AND VEHICLE DETECTION SENSORS
Motor City drivers can now use credit and debit cards to pay for parking at single-space meters. The Municipal Parking Department began a 90-day pilot program in November, testing 52 single-space meters equipped to accept Discover, Visa, MasterCard credit and debit cards (with the MasterCard or Visa logo). In addition to the new single-space meters, Municipal Parking will also test 16 meters with vehicle detection sensors. The vehicle detection sensor meters will automatically revert to 0 time left when the sensor detects the vehicle has left the parking spot.
CITY OF DETROIT TO OPEN DAYTIME RESPITE CENTERS DURING FRIGID TEMPERATURES
When Detroit experiences extremely cold temperatures, the Detroit Recreation Department will operate two recreation centers as respite centers for residents to get heating bill relief. Individuals can dial down their furnaces and go to one of the two following centers during the day to help save on household energy expenses:
Lipke Recreation Center, 19320 Van Dyke (313) 628-2036
Tuesday – Friday 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Coleman Young Recreation Center, 2751 Robert Bradby (313) 628-0995
Tuesday – Friday 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
For more information about the respite centers, call (313) 224-1129.
CALL DWSD TO REPORT WINTER WATER MAIN BREAKS
In Detroit, winter and springtime usher in a larger number of breaks, and there are often multiple contributing factors. Many of the pipes in Detroit and across the country are aging, and older pipes are more likely to have experienced stress that can lead to leaks and breaks. Pipe materials also expand and contract with changes in temperature. If the pipe is in a place where it cannot absorb the stress, it will crack.
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) is dedicated to maintaining the hundreds of miles of water mains within the city. A water main break can cause aggravation and inconvenience to residents, as well as potential damage to their property. A break can result in low water pressure, no water flow at all, or perhaps water flowing freely in the street. Residents who see a water main break should contact the DWSD 24-hour Emergency Maintenance and Repair Center at (313) 267-7401.
DETROIT DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES RELOCATING TO THE HERMAN KIEFER HEALTH COMPLEX
The Detroit Department of Human Services is moving from 5031 Grandy Street to the Herman Kiefer Health Complex, 1151 Taylor Street in Detroit. The move is taking place in phases and will be complete by January 2012.
DHS will continue to offer the same administrative services that are offered at the current location. All center operation services, including utility assistance, emergency needs, transportation, and commodity distribution will be on the fifth floor, along with the Senior/Consumer Advocacy Division. Weatherization and Head Start will be located on the 6th floor.
For more information, please call 852-5609.
DETROIT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TO COLLECT CHRISTMAS TREES DURING JANUARY
Detroit residents can place their Christmas trees out for collection on their weekly trash collection day the first two weeks in January.
Residents should place the tree near their Courville container no more than 24 hours before the scheduled pickup.
DETROIT SENIOR/CONSUMER ADVOCACY DIVISION TO HOST HEALTHY HEARTS EDUCATIONAL FORUM FEB. 14
The City of Detroit Department of Human Services, Senior/Consumer Advocacy Division will host an educational forum on healthy hearts on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Northwest Activities Center – DeRoy Ballroom, located at 18100 Meyers Road.
Please call (313) 224-1000 to RSVP by Tuesday, February 7.
