Highland Park barbecue ban sparks beef

George Hunter / The Detroit News

Highland Park -- Charles Collins has a longstanding Fourth of July tradition: He gets up early and begins preparing ribs, chicken and other meat, then fires up his barbecue grill.

But if he barbecues this year, Collins could be slapped with a hefty fine or even end up in jail, thanks to a barbecue ban that takes effect in the city today.

The ban, which calls for up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine for violations, has some residents fuming.

"They do this just before the Fourth of July? That's crazy," lamented Collins, 57.

The City Council passed the "barbecue ordinance" on June 15, effective 15 days later.

"Placement of any barbecue cooking or equipment ... in the front of a dwelling, on a front porch, or on the side of a dwelling shall not be permitted in the city," the ordinance reads. "For a corner dwelling or building, any barbecue equipment must be 12 feet away from a public right of way."

While backyards are not specifically named in the ban, the ordinance prohibits placing barbecue equipment in any fenced yard which is closer than 20 feet from a public right of way.

The ordinance states it aims to promote "fire prevention through regulating barbecuing and/or outdoor cooking in the front and on the sides of dwellings."

Councilman DeAndre Windom, who voted for the ban, said barbecue fires are a problem in the city.

"This was passed because barbecuing is a fire hazard," Windom said.

But there have been very few barbecue-related fires in recent years, said Highland Park firefighter Mario Brownlee.

"I've been on the force for three years, and I only remember one fire that was started from a barbecue," Brownlee said. "It's not a big problem."

Resident Deborah Toliver, 57, said people likely won't follow the ban.

"People are not going to stop barbecuing in Highland Park -- trust me," she said.

ghunter@detnews.com (313) 222-2134