One of my favorite parts of working at PM Environmental is having the opportunity to go on site walks and to get out of the office for a little while during the day. I enjoy getting to see some of Detroit’s historic buildings that have been vacant for quite some time. What a great way to see different parts of the city, state, and region!

I recently went on a site walk with my coworker Ginny on the east side of Detroit where we walked two blocks of mostly vacant and blighted properties. Most of the occupied houses were in rough shape, and nearly all of the blighted houses were caving in on themselves. People had illegally dumped their garbage throughout the properties. Having come from Los Angeles and Seattle, I had never experienced anything on this scale, and it still shocks me. However, Ginny informed me that Southwest Solutions will be building new town homes on the subject properties in an effort to contribute to neighborhood revitalization.

I honestly became a little nervous as our walk continued. How would people in their houses in this predominantly black community perceive these two white people walking down their street taking pictures and making notes in a binder? We passed a few people out for a stroll and were greeted with smiles and a few friendly questions as to what we were doing. It was not until the end of our walk that someone decided to yell at us from a car. A white woman from across the way in Grosse Pointe made a point to drive out of her way and “warn” Ginny and me that we were going to be mugged if we walked around this neighborhood.

I realize that this woman’s intention was to look out for us, but her warning was nothing less of offensive and demeaning toward that neighborhood and its residents. Yes, Detroit, like any other large city, has dangerous neighborhoods where people need to watch their backs on a daily basis; however, does this reality inherently insinuate that people (even white people) should stay out completely? If companies or community organizations choose not to enter a certain neighborhood, doesn’t their absence contribute to the ongoing conditions/perceptions of that neighborhood?

This experience has taught me how proud I am to work at PM, a company that does assessments and fieldwork anywhere and everywhere in the city, state, region, and nation. The site walks allow us to briefly experience the realities of everyday people and the conditions in which they live, play, and work. We see diverse groups of people at their best and at their worst. I truly do believe that through the work we accomplish here at PM, we help break down these types of social barriers and make a difference in the communities.