policing
City introduces newly hired consultants from 21st Century Policing Solutions
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 08-21-2017 under NEWS
“We know the truth may hurt, but selective ignorance is fatal.” This a phrase Ronald Davis admits he’s fond of saying. And during the City’s press conference this past Thursday, August 17, 2017, to introduce Mr. Davis and the...
City Commission passes resolutions regarding community, police relations
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 07-27-2017 under NEWS
Summer can mean vacations and family time for many of us. This tends to have an effect on the turnout at the City Commission meetings. That was clearly the case Tuesday as citizen attendance was down compared to the last few months. However that...
#GRTalksBack on policing: meetings use small-group format
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 06-13-2017 under NEWS
On Monday June 12 at 12 p.m., the first of a series of Community Listening meetings on policing, hosted by the City Commission, took place at the Michigan First Credit Union on Breton and Burton. Attendees were directed to the basement room and...
Community listening sessions: What will you say about policing?
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 06-09-2017 under OPINION
The Grand Rapids City Commission is earmarking a possible $1 million a year for the next five years for "police and community relations." They are waiting on input from a series of “Community Listening meetings" to decide how to...
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...
Recent police actions prompt citizens to press City officials to declare 'state of emergency'
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 05-10-2017 under NEWS
During the final public comment period of Tuesday night’s City Commission meeting, forty people stood and spoke in solidarity about the need to declare a “state of emergency” around the racialized outcomes and systemic inequities...
Black motorists twice as likely to be pulled over, searched by Grand Rapids police
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 04-20-2017 under NEWS
According to the City’s Traffic Stop Data Analysis study, Black drivers in the city of Grand Rapids are twice as likely to be pulled over by police as white drivers. The discussion of these results and the study's recommendations brought...
Solutions Summit on policing: No healing, just solutions
by (balexander)
Submitted 07-29-2016 under NEWS
We are, more often than not, confronted with truths simultaneously. But let’s get some painful admissions out of the way. First, we suck at multi-tasking. Second, we have a way of silencing the priorities of others to make space for our own....
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...
Equity Drinks to include police chief in public discussion on rifle purchases
by (Jeremy Moore)
Submitted 12-29-2015 under NEWS
Equity Drinks is focusing on developing a network for people who identify as working to advance equity in Grand Rapids. We believe understanding the complexity of those doing the work sets a foundation for action. In August of 2014, Equity...