GRPD
Citizens' concerns remain over housing crisis, racial disparities at commission meeting
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 06-08-2017 under NEWS
For 2017, the City of Grand Rapids planned three Commission meetings to be held out in the community rather than the usual commission chambers housed on the ninth floor of city hall. Tuesday marked the second of these neighborhood hosted meetings...
Mothers of boys stopped at gunpoint by police, 'trying to make change'
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 04-06-2017 under NEWS
It’s been over a week since five African-American boys, age 12 to 14 years, were stopped at gunpoint by a police officer as they walked home from playing basketball at the Kroc Center on Division in Grand Rapids. IKeshia Quinn, a mother of two...
When grown men point loaded weapons at 12-year-old boys, none of us should sleep well at night
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 03-29-2017 under OPINION
Last night, I couldn't sleep. It was 2 a.m., but my mind was still at the City Commission meeting, where three mothers told the story of their sons - 12 to 14 years in age - being stopped at gunpoint by police. (Their comments are at about 31:...
City of Grand Rapids launches new bicycle safety education campaign
by (GRTV)
Submitted 05-10-2016 under NONPROFITS
Yesterday, the City of Grand Rapids launched Driving Change, its largest effort to educate motorists, bicyclists, and the community on how everyone can share the road safely. “Grand Rapids actually has a crash rate [between cars and bicycles]...
New community council seeks stronger civil discourse with, accountability for police
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 01-26-2016 under OPINION
On December 15, 2015, the City Commissioners of Grand Rapids voted 5-2 in favor of allowing the purchase of 65 assault rifles for the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD). If you weren’t aware of this, then stop and take a moment to process...
Community discussion targeting police practices misses mark
by (hodele91)
Submitted 10-29-2015 under OPINION
As I settled into my narrow seat, popcorn in hand, pencil poised and at the ready, I couldn’t help but notice the disconcerting feeling nestled in the pit of my stomach. All around me, community members both prestigious and not conversed and...
Ten Principles of Community Policing: Part Two
by (crestongr)
Submitted 07-29-2014 under NONPROFITS
By Lindy Nawrocki Community policing is successful based on a number of factors. One of the more important factors is the common goal for quality of life of all citizens by all community members and police officers. In 1998 the Grand Rapids...
Community responds to lack of diversity in recent GRPD hiring
by (LINC UP)
Submitted 01-24-2014 under NONPROFITS
To the City of Grand Rapids, For the past five years our organization has been dedicated to strengthening the relationship between the Grand Rapids City Administration, several neighborhood leaders, the business community and many organizations...
Building blocks of community
by (Eastown Communi...)
Submitted 01-14-2014 under PLACE-MATTERS
Written by Lindsey Ruffin All of the blocks within Eastown function in a unique way depending on the people on the block, their involvement level, and the wants and needs of the residents. Residents on some blocks have monthly celebrations, some...
What I learned attending GRPD Citizen Police Academy 2013
by (Raheeq Al-Zaidan)
Submitted 12-18-2013 under VOICES
I’ve never willingly walked into a police station, certainly not one in a foreign country. I was nervous to be a Middle Eastern journalist meeting with American law enforcement officers. Citizen Police Academy sounded like a perfect...