Liberal lawmakers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, spent thousands of taxpayer dollars to remove neighborhood watch signs, labeling them as racist. Officials posted a video on Wednesday showing the last of 600 signs being torn down, explaining their goal of fostering inclusivity.
Mayor's Statement
'Frankly, neighborhood watch signs are expressions of exclusion, and they're inconsistent with our values,' said Mayor Christopher Taylor. 'Ann Arbor is a welcoming community, we don't want to push people away, we want to welcome folks in.'
Decision and Funding
The removal followed a unanimous 10-0 vote in December and a January decision to allocate $18,000 from the city's cash reserves, not street funding, as the signs are not traffic-related. Officials considered using police funds but lacked budget space.
Criticism of Neighborhood Watch
'The Neighborhood Watch program, which emerged in the 1970s during a period of national anxiety about crime and social change, is defunct, and research shows such signage does not reduce crime and can reinforce biased surveillance,' officials wrote.
Ann Arbor's crime rate is 28.76 per 1,000 residents per year, slightly above the Michigan average, according to Crime Grade. Despite sign removal, residents can still participate in crime oversight through the Ann Arbor Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (AAICPOC), established to 'reframe' police-community relations.
Council member Cynthia Harrison noted that some residents have been targeted: 'There are people that look like me and those from my community that have been questioned in their own neighborhood by others wondering what they're doing there.'
Public Reaction
The move drew mockery online. One user wrote: 'Absolute joke. Imagine getting rid of signs that spread awareness and safety for neighborhoods… had nothing to do with race till someone decided it did.' Another said: 'Love Ann Arbor so so so much but come on let's fix the potholes and focus on getting Ann Arbor teachers a fair contract.' A third added: 'Believing the signs are the problem is so on brand.'
The Daily Mail reached out to Mayor Taylor for comment.
