ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) — The city of Ann Arbor is considering retiring its outdoor warning sirens and is asking the community for input.
According to the city, Ann Arbor has 22 outdoor warning sirens, which have reportedly been used twice in the past five years.
Watch the video report below:
The city says the system is in need of repairs and maintenance, with $60,000 expected to be needed for repairs over the next three years and roughly $17,000 needed annually for maintenance.
“There are now ways to reach people with clearer warning information, including through their cell phones,” the city’s website reads.
7 News Detroit spoke with several residents who live near one of the sirens and got their take about the idea of retiring the system.
“The city sends emails, but if you’re not on email, you’re not going to pick up on that. So, I think the siren is the way to do it,” Brian, an Ann Arbor resident, said.
Another resident, Sameer Gudel said, “I personally have not benefited from them (the sirens).”
The city notes that decommissioning the sirens would not eliminate warnings and that they would expand communication on how people could receive alerts in various ways.
“I think it could be harmful if it’s not there," resident Callie Drohan told 7 News Detroit. “Kids play soccer around here in the parks, and people might not know that there’s a storm coming in."
The city said the last time they were used was in July of 2023.
“I didn’t know that they weren’t used that much. But I mean, if they’re not being used that often, then maybe they can go and we can save the money and put it somewhere else,” resident Daniel Esterkin said.
The city has posted a survey on its website, which will be open for the month of March.
For the survey and more details, click here.
