Latest news with #DearbornCityCouncil
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
New surveillance program gives Dearborn police access to real-time videos
A new surveillance program will soon make its way to Dearborn, offering police access to real-time video from private businesses and residents. In April, Dearborn City Council members unanimously approved a five-year contract worth $720,000 for police to use the FUSUS program, which gives police the ability to view the private camera feeds of businesses and residents. "It's always good to have the best technology that we can have, and this is just another element to go along with our cameras that we have in our city that can open up a live feed for our patrolmen on the road," said Michael Sareini, president of the Dearborn City Council. The city plans to use $133,000 from its drug forfeiture and federal justice funds to help pay for the system, along with money given by the University of Michigan-Dearborn. In a statement, the university said, "We are one of several community partners collaborating with the City of Dearborn to share camera access for public safety incidents. We have learned over the years from numerous tragedies at institutions across the U.S., including here in Michigan, how important it is during critical incidents for agencies to be able to work together and share information in real time when a crisis arises." Along with access to camera feeds from people and businesses who choose to sign up for the program, officers will also have the ability to hear live 911 feeds while in the field. "Now, the police officer in the car can actually hear the 911 call come in as it's being phoned in. This reduces our response times, which is always important, and also, as important, getting the information directly from the caller so that there's no confusion," said Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin. Officials say this will allow them to take full advantage of already existing city infrastructure to better fight and stop crime. In a new statement, Shahin said, "The safety and security of our residents is the top priority of the Dearborn Police Department. This mission has directed our plans to integrate the FUSUS Real-Time Crime Center, which provides live video and information during an emergency to aid our officers in their response. This initiative utilizes already existing visual infrastructure previously installed by businesses, community organizations, and other groups for on-site security. The FUSUS system is not equipped for the integration of facial recognition technology." City leaders say the exact date for the program's formal launch is still unclear, but it is expected to happen later this year.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dearborn clerk deems GOP activist ineligible to run for mayor due to felonies
An outspoken Republican activist in Dearborn has been declared ineligible by the city to run for mayor as the race to lead the city gets underway. Dearborn City Clerk George Darany told the Free Press Wednesday that Hassan Aoun, 44, can not run for elected office in the city because charter rules prohibit residents with a felony conviction from being on the ballot. Aoun had submitted last year his nominating petitions with signatures, but was told by Darany in December that he was not eligible due to his criminal record with three felony convictions, one in October 2009 and two others in June 2012. "Mr. Aoun received a certified letter on Dec. 30 or 31 stating he was ineligible to run for office in Dearborn because of his felony record," Darany told the Free Press. Aoun filed a lawsuit last month in Wayne County against Darany challenging his removal from the ballot, claiming that state law would allow him to be on the ballot. The suit has been assigned to Wayne County Judge Brian Sullivan with a status conference set for April 7. The Dearborn City Council held a special closed-door meeting on Jan. 21 discussing the lawsuit. Aoun, who supported Trump last year, is running on a platform of "Make Dearborn Great Again," claiming the city is led by corrupt politicians who are too left-wing on social issues and soft on crime. He's challenging Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, who told the Free Press Thursday he is running for reelection. Hammoud, 34, elected in November 2021, is seeking a second four-year term to lead the city of 110,000 residents, citing his accomplishments in reducing crime, fighting polluters and reckless drivers, and investing in infrastructure such as building new parks while maintaining harmony amid national attention during the Gaza war and presidential election. Another candidate, Nagi Almudhegi, 50, may announce his run for mayor on Sunday, according to social media posts by his supporters. Almudhegi, who spoke at the protests against some LGBTQ+ books in Dearborn schools, did not return a message Thursday seeking comment. Wayne County court records show that Aoun pled no contest on Oct. 28, 2009 to malicious destruction of personal property $1,000 or more but less than $20,000; pled guilty on June 6, 2012, to the same charge as in 2009 for a separate incident; and on June 27, 2012, to assaulting or obstructing public officer causing injury. "I firmly believe that my removal from the ballot is a direct attempt to silence my campaign and deny the people of Dearborn a fair election," Aoun said in a statement. "The only reason they are doing this is because they are afraid of my growing support and the overwhelming number of people standing with me. This is not just an attack on me — it is an attack on democracy and the rights of the voters." Aoun is frequently seen at public meetings in Dearborn and other municipalities, becoming known in 2022 for being one of the leaders against some LGBTQ+ books in Dearborn Public Schools. Critics say he has a confrontational tone in his behavior; his supporters say he has a right to speak out and his voice is needed. Aoun has been arrested three times in Dearborn over the past couple of years after refusing to leave public areas: in May 2023 outside the Dearborn Public School administrative building during a board meeting; on April 9, 2024, at a Dearborn City Council meeting; and on April 23, 2024, also at a Dearborn City Council meeting. Videos of the incidents show police warning Aoun to leave after he was accused of being disruptive, giving him a chance to leave. He refuses and then is arrested. In the May 2023 incident, Aoun was found guilty by a jury of not obeying a police officer and breaching the peace, but was found not guilty of trespassing. He served 23 days last year in Calhoun County jail. The 2024 cases are still pending and he intends to fight them, he said. In the latest incident, on April 23, Aoun spoke at the podium in a City Council meeting during the public comments section and started playing a recording with audio, a council livestream shows. Dearborn City Council President Michael Sareini told him that was not permitted and asked him to stop, but Aoun kept playing it. Police officers then approached Aoun. "If you refuse to leave, you will be arrested," Police Chief Issa Shahin tells Aoun in the April 23 incident. Aoun does not leave and two officers then arrest him, handcuffing him while he was near the podium. "You're under arrest for failing to listen to the council president," Shahin told him. Aoun claims the city is harassing him for exercising his First Amendment rights. More: Hamtramck mayor Amer Ghalib announces reelection campaign, says Trump supports him On his social media accounts, Aoun often attacks community leaders, some of whom have complained to police. In a few cases, Dearborn police investigated his Facebook and Instagram accounts for messages, but closed out the probes after failing to get approval for warrants from a district judge, police reports and court records show. In one case, a 19th district judge in Dearborn approved in Feb. 2022 a search warrant for Aoun's Facebook account; it's unclear what became of that case. Aoun said that state law supersedes Dearborn's charter. In 2010, voters approved a ballot proposal that prohibits candidates with certain felony records from holding elected positions. The felony conviction has to be "related to the person's official capacity while holding any elective office or position of employment in local, state or federal government." Aoun says that means he would be eligible. In his letter to Aoun, Darany cites the part of the charter that makes him ineligible to run for office in Dearborn. "No person shall become a candidate or hold elective office under this charter unless that person is a resident for one year, has never been convicted of a felony and is a registered voter of the City," the charter reads. "Pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Charter you are, therefore, ineligible to be certified as a candidate for Mayor," Darany wrote. Earlier this month, Darany announced that his office is offering assistance for residents who want to run for office. Also on the ballot are all of the seven council seats and clerk. "My office has prepared a package of information to guide candidates through the process of getting on the ballot," Darany said in a Feb. 5 statement. "The information may be obtained at the Clerk's Office in the Dearborn Administrative Center, 16901 Michigan Ave." To get on the ballot, candidates must submit at least 100 valid signatures of registered Dearborn voters, but not more than 200 signatures, Darany said. Candidates have until 4 p.m., April 22, to submit petitions to be on the ballot. In addition to having no felony convictions, candidates must have resided in Dearborn for at least one year and be registered to vote in the city, as required by the charter. Candidates also need to submit a notarized Affidavit of Identity and sign an affidavit saying they meet the city charter's requirements to hold office. Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Republican activist deemed ineligible to run for Dearborn mayor
