Kentwood · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kentwood public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Police department promotions
The police department promoted two lieutenants and two sergeants, expanding its command team for the first time in years.
Police Department 2025 performance
Kentwood firefighters handled 5,507 runs in 2025 — most of them medical calls — while keeping average response times at 4:34, beating the 5:20 promised to residents. The department also installed nearly 1,000 free smoke alarms and logged over 3,200 inspections.
New Deputy Fire Chief sworn in
Darren Duffany, a Navy veteran with 25 years at Royal Oak Fire Department, was sworn in as Deputy Fire Chief, filling the seat vacated when Mike Hip retired in December.
Code enforcement and neighborhood blight
A 44-year resident said Kentwood is getting run down, with trailers and trash in yards and landlords neglecting properties. City staff countered that code enforcement officers patrol daily and pointed her to the online complaint portal.
Winter equipment for DPW
The new compact loader and snow pusher will let the city clear parking lots — including the new community center — without pulling its big salt-loading loader off road duty.
Princeton Estates neighborhood maintenance
Resident Bob Hines says the neighborhood's yards, sidewalks, and shrubs have visibly declined, with some owners unable to afford upkeep. He asked whether the city can offer assistance programs or stronger maintenance codes. A town hall on the issue is set for September 17 at the police department.
Pedestrian lighting on Eastern Avenue and 52nd Street
A teacher and her students gathered 174 petition signatures asking for better lighting where Stephon Harris and another pedestrian were killed. The mayor committed to having Consumers Energy conduct a lighting study.
Resident alleges false information in police records
A resident alleges Kentwood police became improperly involved in her custody and CPS matters, including late subpoena timing and behind-the-scenes communications, and asks the Commission to order an independent review. The Commission did not act on the request at the meeting.
New Grand Rapids apartment complex may strain mutual aid
A 181-unit development just over the city line in Grand Rapids could draw Kentwood police into mutual aid responses if Grand Rapids' coverage of that southern area is slow, the chief and a commissioner noted.
Rising fraud and scam complaints targeting residents
Fraud complaints jumped to 83 last quarter, often targeting seniors through phone and internet scams. The police chief says education is the best defense and officers present at retirement communities, but commissioners want scam alerts shared more broadly.
Fire hydrant repainting program
The city will sandblast and repaint its 218 hydrants with durable water-tower paint, starting with major streets this month, so hydrants stay visible and bright yellow.
FOIA policy amendment and appeals committee
The commission removed its proposed Freedom of Information Act policy update from the consent agenda and will keep refining it before bringing it back.
Police Staffing Shortage
Six new officers were sworn in, a first for the department's size, funded partly by the voter-approved millage. The department is still short of its 86-officer goal with retirements expected this year.
Repeated false alarms ordinance fix
The Commission re-adopted the false alarms ordinance just to fix a subsection reference — no change to how the rules actually work.
Kentwood Police state accreditation
Kentwood PD earned its Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission certification, meeting over 130 professional standards. Only 98 of Michigan's 573 police agencies hold this distinction.
Vintage fire truck refurbishment
The 1949 Ford F-7 fire truck — a parade and funeral staple — gets a $34,658 refurbishment including an automatic transmission so more firefighters can drive it.
DPW laundry equipment purchase
DPW staff deal with road grime, fuel, and sanitary waste on their work gear. A commercial washer and dryer lets them clean PPE safely in-house instead of taking it home — extending equipment life and improving safety.
Rising domestic-related aggravated assaults
Police Chief Litwin told the Commission that violent crime is up year over year and above the five-year average — but the driver is aggravated assaults, most of them domestic situations that happen behind closed doors. Commissioner Morgan wants to work with the chief on targeted resources and prevention.
Enforcement of short-term rental ordinance
A 45-year resident says a nearby home is being rented through Airbnb for days at a time despite the city's 28-day minimum, bringing strangers, parties, and extra traffic into a quiet neighborhood. The city attorney says citations were dismissed by a judge and the city will pursue the case again.