Ruth to the Rescue gets results in Southfield condo complex

Residents in a Southfield condo complex have been looking at a big gaping hole in their backyard for five months.

Ruth to the Rescue learned that DTE was responsible for the project back on May 8 and asked DTE to fix the situation.

Since then, residents report the progress has been swift.

Doug Peneny of the Kingswood Place Condo Complex told Local 4 DTE got to work fast on Friday the 11th, "They worked through the night... they got here about 3 or 4 o'clock in  the afternoon.. and they worked until-- you know 6 or 7 in the morning."

Peneny was very happy to see DTE workers scrambling to do something about the hole five months after they tore up his backyard, even if it meant working through the night.

"Better a little noise than a big hole in back," Peneny said.

Change in attitude

When Ruth to the Rescue first got involved, we saw a 5 to 6-foot deep hole filled with water and trash. It was definitely a potential safety hazard for the children in the neighborhood. 

Now- that entire hole is filled in and the safety hazard for children is no longer a problem. 

Signs of progress are everywhere in the yard. Another nearby hole is now covered with a big metal box. The safety netting around a third seems taller and more secure. Residents who previously called DTE for answers, and couldn't get anywhere, now say things are very different. 

"When Ruth came out and talked to them ... their attitude changed," Peneny said.

However, the work isn't done yet. DTE tells Ruth to the Rescue this was the first phase of a project to prevent power outages, and more equipment needs to be installed. That means Peneny and his neighbors will be stuck with a muddy mess for awhile.

Peneny is happy about the progress, but said, "Hopefully. they'll finish... the project so my neighbor... and myself can enjoy our patios."

DTE tells us the yard will be restored to its previous condition once the project is 100 percent finished.

A spokesman says that could take several weeks, and a point person has been assigned to keep the neighbors up to date.