Abandoned Vehicle Abatement: Best Practices & Revenue Potential
Abandoned vehicle abatement is more than just towing junk cars—it’s a vital municipal service that enhances public safety, reduces urban blight, and restores community pride. Across the U.S., cities like Stockton, Columbia, Honolulu, and Denver are implementing diverse approaches to solve this growing issue. And as municipalities seek smarter, scalable solutions, technologies like City Detect […]
Fire Hazards Hiding in Plain Sight
Urban Fire Hazards: A Growing Municipal Risk Urban fire threats are no longer confined to rural peripheries or forested zones. Increasingly, cities face significant risks due to overgrown vegetation, accumulated debris, and litter, conditions that turn everyday neighborhoods into fire-prone zones. For public works and code enforcement leaders, the challenge isn’t just spotting these hazards. […]
Summer 2025 Grants for Code Enforcement & Public Works
Municipal code enforcement and public works departments are often tasked with solving complex, visible problems, such as blight, illegal dumping, vacant property management, with limited tools and insufficient staff. Many municipal leaders are overwhelmed by paperwork, constrained by legacy systems, and locked in reactive cycles instead of driving proactive solutions. But there’s good news: millions […]
Unlocking Public Works Technology for Smarter Cities
Why Public Works Departments Need Better Technology Public works departments are central to a city’s day-to-day success. They bring multidimensional value to the cities they serve, including economic, social, environmental, and cultural benefits. From maintaining roads and signage to clearing storm drains and managing right-of-way areas, these teams keep communities safe and functional. But with […]
Tackling Snipe Signs: How Code Enforcement Can Take Control
The Hidden Cost of Snipe Signs If you’re a code enforcement officer or public works director, you already know snipe signs. Those unauthorized “We Buy Houses,” “Cheap Roof Repair,” or political campaign signs aren’t just an eyesore; they’re a drain on city resources, a persistent enforcement challenge, and an unfair loophole that undermines legitimate businesses. […]
AI-Driven Defensible Spaces for Wildfire Mitigation
The Growing Threat of Wildfires Wildfires are a persistent and escalating threat across the United States. At the time of this writing, 269,986 acres have burned so far this year. According to the Department of Homeland Security, approximately 70,000 wildfires occur annually, threatening lives, infrastructure, and the environment. Along with rising wildfire rates, fire suppression […]
From Chaos to Clarity: AI in Post-Storm Recovery
The heart of a community is tested when disasters strike. Hurricane Helene delivered a devastating blow to Greenville, SC, uprooting lives and creating chaos, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. City officials faced the monumental task of restoring normalcy while urgently ensuring thorough documentation for FEMA audits—an essential step to secure federal aid for recovery. […]
2025 Guide to Code Enforcement Conferences
Happy code enforcement conference season! February kicks off a number of code enforcement conferences and industry expos around the country. Trade shows and industry or professional conferences are great opportunities to connect, learn, and adapt to the ever-changing environment of code enforcement. Every year, there are new technological advancements, new regulations, new research on human […]
Securing Smart Cities: SOC 2 Compliance Builds Trust & Innovation
City Detect proudly announces achieving SOC 2 Type I compliance, marking a major milestone in our mission to secure smart cities. This certification reflects our commitment to cybersecurity, privacy, and Responsible AI, ensuring that municipalities can trust our innovative solutions to build cleaner, safer, and more efficient communities.
Reducing Bias from AI
This week is the GovAI Coalition Summit in San José, CA. GovAI is a coalition of municipal leaders and technologists working to make artificial intelligence (AI) safer, more equitable, and transparent for everyone. Artificial intelligence holds the promise of transforming public services, making them more efficient, equitable, and accessible. However, realizing this potential requires a […]
