On Wednesday, the Dearborn Heights Police Department released a statement regarding the proposed Arabic-language police patch. The Mayor clarified that this was an internal mock-up, not an official design, and that any future changes would involve wider input.

If Dearborn Heights can even consider adding Arabic to their badges, then Jewish suburbs should be asking: when will our heritage, language, and visibility be affirmed in the same way?

Yet in suburbs such as Oak Park, Huntington Woods, and West Bloomfield where there are significant Jewish communities, similar recognition has not yet been adopted or even considered. Optional Hebrew lettering on civic symbols, such as police badges, would echo the model being established in Dearborn Heights, affirming our community’s presence, honoring our contributions, and promoting inclusivity.