Neighborhood Concerns

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Neighborhood Concerns

Neighborhood Concerns FAQ

How can I volunteer my services for the Kentwood Police Department?
The Kentwood Police Department is looking for service-minded community partners to volunteer their skills. Because of the broad base of demands that are expected of our Department, we are in need of your experience and skills. This is a growing program with expanding services. We have volunteer needs in parking enforcement, vacation house checks, nuisance sign removal and inspection, speed control, and traffic light surveys. If you are interested in serving your community as a volunteer, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Vicki Highland at 616-656-6571.
How can I report suspected drug activity in my neighborhood?
Citizens who suspect drug activity in their neighborhood are encouraged to contact the Police Department at 616-698-6580 and provide general information for a return call, or request the Special Investigations Supervisor for follow up.  You may also anonymously report activity electronically to the Kentwood Police Department by clicking here.   Citizens may also provide information to any police officer they come into contact within in public, or contact the Silent Observer Program at 616-774-2345 with information on any crime or suspected drug activity.

What are the laws concerning excessive noise and what can I do about my noisy neighbors?
The Kentwood City Code (38-263) says that no person shall permit or allow any loud noise, electrical, mechanical, human or animal in origin, to be emitted from any place occupied or controlled by him so as to unnecessarily disturb, without reasonable cause, the quiet, comfort or repose of any person and that no person shall create any loud noise in such a manner as to unnecessarily disturb, without reasonable cause, the quiet, comfort or repose of any person between the hours of 11:00 pm and 7:00 am, except as allowed by a permit issued by the City.

We encourage citizens to work out neighborhood problems by talking with their neighbors. If this is not an option, and the “noise problem” is “in progress”, please call the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580 to make a complaint. If there is an ongoing noise problem, you may call 616-698-6580 Monday through Friday during normal business hours, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, and ask to be connected with the Community Services Officer that works in your area.

What are the laws concerning barking dogs, dangerous animals, and animals running loose and what can I do about them?

The Kentwood City Code, Chapter 10, says that no person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of a dog shall permit such dog at any time, by loud, frequent or habitual barking, yelping or howling, to cause a nuisance or annoyance to the neighborhood.

The Kentwood City Code also says that no person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall cause, permit or allow the dog to run at large or be upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court or other public place, or upon any private property or premises, except for hunters with the consent of the owner of such property and persons owning or having charge, care, custody or control of such dog within the City, unless such dog is restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and is in the charge, care, custody or control of a person with the ability to restrain such dog.

The Kentwood City Code further defines vicious animals as any:

1) Animal that, when unprovoked, approaches, in a dangerous or terrorizing manner, any person in an apparent attitude of attack in any public place or upon any private property not occupied by the animal's owner;
2) Animal with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack when unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals;
3) Animal which bites, inflicts injury, assaults or otherwise attacks a human being or domestic animal without provocation, on public or private property; or
4) Dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for animal fighting.

There are several rules regarding vicious animals and a complete copy of the Code can be obtained at City Hall or through a link on this website.

We encourage citizens to work out neighborhood problems, such as barking dog complaints, by talking with their neighbors. If this is not an option, and the “barking” is “in progress”, please call the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580 to make a complaint. If there is an ongoing noise problem, you may call 616-698-6580 Monday through Friday during normal business hours, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, and ask to be connected with the Community Services Officer that works in your area.

Animals at large and vicious animals should be reported to the Kent County Animal Control at 616-632-7300 or the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580.

How do I report a street light out?
Contact Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050 and follow the recorded prompts. You may also make a report via the internet by clicking on the following link: http://www.consumersenergy.com/welcome.htm?/products/index.asp?ssid=45.

Public Service Request - Report an Issue
Where can I obtain crime prevention information?
Crime prevention information can be obtained by calling the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580 Monday through Friday during normal business hours, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, and ask to be connected with the Community Services Officer that works in your area. Free services provided include home and business security surveys, presentations on Neighborhood Watch, drug awareness, bicycle safety and crime prevention at home and in the retail setting. The Community Services Bureau is active in the neighborhoods, schools and retail establishments throughout the City.
Where can I hunt in Kentwood?

Firearm hunting is prohibited in the City of Kentwood. Bow hunting is allowed when the following section from the City Code (38-200) is complied with: 

No bow and arrow shall be discharged at any time within the City, except when properly discharged on an indoor range or, when properly discharged outdoors on property consisting of not-less-than five contiguous acres, the narrow side of which is not less than 450 feet, owned by one or more persons who, by mutual written agreement, provide their property for such purpose; provided, however, that no bow and arrow shall be discharged within 450 feet of a house, garage, barn or any commercial establishment or any other occupied building, except by written consent of the owner.

 
Can I shoot a BB gun or pellet gun in my neighborhood?

BB and pellet guns are defined by local and state law as any smooth bore rifle or hand gun designed and manufactured exclusively for propelling on any one manipulation of the trigger, a single BB, not exceeding .177 caliber, by means of a spring, gas or air.

BB and pellet guns can be discharged on a person’s own property or on an approved target range. BB and pellet guns may NOT be pointed or discharged at persons, buildings, or vehicles. Persons under 18 years of age may not possess a BB or pellet gun outside of their property unless accompanied by a person over 18 years of age. Careless or negligent discharge of the BB or pellet gun that causes death, injury or property damage would subject the person or person’s parents to criminal charges.

What can I do about annoying telephone calls?

No person shall, by the use or means of a telecommunications service or device, perform any of the following:

(1) Disturb the peace, quiet or privacy of any other person or family by repeated contact intended to harass or annoy the person or family to whom the contact is made;

(2) Use obscene or offensive language, or suggest any lewd or lascivious act;

(3) Attempt to extort money or anything of value from any person;

(4) Threaten any physical violence or harm to any person;

(5) Repeatedly and continuously ring the telephone of any person with the intent to disturb or harass such person;

(6) Knowingly and intentionally make a false report of a crime, fire, traffic crash or medical emergency;

(7) Repeatedly dial 911, except to report an emergency condition requiring a police, fire department or emergency medical response.

 (Code 2004, § 38-7; Comp. Ords. 1987, § 20.307(7))

State Law reference— Malicious use of service provided by telephone provider, MCL 750.540e; false fire alarms, MCL 750.240; false report of crime, MCL 750.411a.

What is the curfew in Kentwood?

Sec. 38-392. - Curfew for underage persons.

(a)  It is unlawful for any person:

(1)  Under the age of 12 years to be in any public place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

(2)  Who is 12 years of age or older and less than 16 years of age to be in any public place between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

(3)  Who is 16 years of age or older and less than 17 years of age to be in any public place between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.

(b)  It is a defense to prosecution under subsection (a) of this section that the person was:

(1)  Accompanied by the person's parent or guardian or an adult designated by the person's parent or guardian;

(2)  On an errand at the direction of the person's parent or guardian or an adult designated by the person's parent or guardian, without any detour or stop;

(3)  In a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel;

(4)  Engaged in an employment activity, or going to or returning home from an employment activity, without any detour or stop;

(5)  Involved in an emergency. In this subsection, the term "emergency" means an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action. Such term includes, but is not limited to, a fire, natural disaster, automobile accident or any situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life;

(6)  Attending an official school, religious or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the city, a civic organization or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the person, or going to or returning home from, without any detour or stop, an official school, religious or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the city, a civic organization or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the person;

(7)  Exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech and the right of assembly; or

(8)  Married, or had been married or is an emancipated minor removed in accordance with law.

(c)  No person shall assist, aid, abet, allow, permit or encourage any person to violate subsection (a) of this section.

(Code 2004, § 38-392; Comp. Ords. 1987, §§ 20.341—20.346; Ord. No. 4-09, § 1, 8-28-2009)

State Law reference— Curfew for underage persons, MCL 722.751 et seq.

What can I do about people trespassing on my property?

Sec. 38-81. - Trespass.

No person shall:

(1)  Enter any dwelling house, apartment, private room, private garage or private outbuilding without first obtaining the permission of the owner or person in charge of the building. This subsection shall not apply to any police officer, firefighter or emergency medical personnel acting in the lawful performance of his official duties.

(2)  Enter or remain upon the land or premises of another person, without lawful authority, after having been forbidden to do so by the owner or person in charge of the land or premises.

(Code 2004, § 38-81; Comp. Ords. 1987, § 20.305(1), (2))

State Law reference— Trespass, MCL 750.546 et seq.

How do I address begging and soliciting on my property?

Sec. 38-235. - Begging and soliciting.

(a)  The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings provided in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Accosting means approaching or speaking to a person in such a manner as would cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm or the commission of a criminal act upon his person, or upon property in his immediate possession.

Ask, beg or solicit mean and include, without limitation, the spoken, written or printed word or such other acts as are conducted in furtherance of the purpose of obtaining donations.

Forcing oneself upon the company of another means continuing to ask, beg or solicit from a person after that person has made a negative response, blocking the passage of the individual addressed, or otherwise engaging in conduct which could reasonably be construed as intended to compel or force a person to accede to demands.

(b)  It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit money or other things of value:

(1)  On private property if the owner, tenant or lawful occupant has asked the person not to solicit on the property or has posted a sign clearly indicating that solicitations are not welcome on the property;

(2)  Within 15 feet of the entrance to or exit from any public toilet facility;

(3)  Within 15 feet of an automated teller machine, provided that when an automated teller machine is located within an automated teller machine facility, such distance shall be measured from the entrance or exit of the automated teller machine facility;

(4)  Within 15 feet of any pay telephone, provided that when a pay telephone is located within a telephone booth or other facility, such distance shall be measured from the entrance or exit of the telephone booth or facility;

(5)  Within any public transportation vehicle, or within 15 feet of any bus stop, taxi stand or rapid transit stop;

(6)  From any operator of a motor vehicle that is in traffic on a public street; provided, however, that this subsection shall not apply to services rendered in connection with emergency repairs requested by the owner or passengers of such vehicle;

(7)  From any person who is waiting in line for entry to any building, public or private, including, but not limited to, any residence, business or athletic facility; or

(8)  Within 15 feet of the entrance or exit from a building, public or private, including, but not limited to, any residence, business or athletic facility.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be interpreted to prohibit related parties from soliciting money or other things of value from one another.

(c)  It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit money or other things of value by:

(1)  Accosting another; or

(2)  Forcing oneself upon the company of another.

(Code 2004, § 38-235; Comp. Ords. 1987, § 20.304(4); Ord. No. 06-02, § 2(4(4)), 4-1-2002; Ord. No. 9-13, § 2, 9-21-2013)

State Law reference— Begging, MCL 750.167(1)(h).