Tag Archive | GRPD

LINC UP mounts petition drive to prevent cuts to GRPD community programs

May20

LINC UP is asking its neighbors, friends, and supporter to sign the petition to keep GRPD from cutting community programs and staff positions that were created to improve police and community relations! Sign the Petition!

The Grand Rapids Police Department proposed $1,000,000 in budget cuts as a response to the economic crisis created by COVID-19. Almost 3/4 of the proposed cuts are for program and staffing that are meant to improve GRPD’s ability to engage with the community. The GRPD budget supports cutting programs known to be necessary and effective in increasing the diversity of its recruitment efforts, funding to increase community engagement training, and funding for staffing the Deployment study has identified as necessary to advance the data management and information systems of the department. The proposed cuts would keep the City of Grand Rapids and GRPD from reaching goals for strong engagement and racial equity.

Here are 3 Things You Can Do:

  1. Sign and Share the Petition! 
  2. Call and Email Your City Commissioner! You can find their contact information here!
  3. Share the MLIVE article covering the full story on budget reductions! Read the Article!

MDCR to document resident experiences with GRPD in GR Aug. 8

Aug6
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Agustin Arbulu, MDCR

Thursday, August 8, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) will host a listening session at the Hispanic Center. It will include lunch and a presentation from MDCR, but will also serve as a listening session for community members to share their specific law enforcement experiences and interactions with the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) that represent challenges to their civil rights.

Lunch will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m. for the first 65 people who register for the event.  The formal meeting starts at noon with a summary of services presentation by MDCR and Hispanic Center announcements.  Beginning at 12:30, community members are invited to share their stories of personal encounters with GRPD with Dr. Agustin Arbulu, MDCR Executive Director, and other department representatives. Testimony or comments cannot be hearsay, but should be the person’s own experience, and not what others have told him or her.  MDCR is collecting these statements as part of their ongoing investigation of the GRPD.
 
Spanish interpretation will be provided, and stories can be submitted in writing the day of the event, or by contacting Gwen Moffit, MDCR Community Engagement Liaison at MoffittG@michigan.gov.  Written submissions will also be accepted in Spanish.

 

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights investigates complaints, enforces civil rights and fair housing laws, and works to prevent discrimination through educational programs that promote voluntary compliance with civil rights laws. More information at their website.

The MDCR was created by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 to carry out the guarantees against discrimination articulated in Article I, Section 2. As further stated in Article V, Section 29, the state constitution directs the Commission to investigate alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color or national origin and to “secure the equal protection of such civil rights without such discrimination”. Public Acts 453 and 220 of 1976 and subsequent amendments have added sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, and physical and mental disabilities to the original four protected categories.

RSVP via Eventbrite today. Please encourage friends, clients, and others in your network to attend and participate in this important opportunity.  

Forum with three Chief of GRPD finalists Thursday June 12

Jun12
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Lansing Police Chief Michael Yankowski (l), retired Pittsburgh Assistant Police Chief Larry Scirotto (c) and Grand Rapids Deputy Police Chief Eric Payne (r). Image from City of Grand Rapids

Your voice is important in our community! Make it heard! City Manager, Mark Washington will be holding a forum with the three finalists that are in the running to be the next Chief of the Grand Rapids Police Department at Cesar Chavez Elementary, 1205 Grandville Ave SW, from 6:30pm–8:30pm on Thursday June 12th.

Use your voice to help ensure that the final choice for Police Chief will increase transparency,  make changes to increase police accountability, further implement opportunities for civilian oversight, and foster a culture within the GRPD that understands the needs and concerns of ALL members of our community.
Please come out tomorrow and make your voice and concerns heard.

Urgent Community Meeting – Tuesday, May 23

May23

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This and following meetings in other parts of the city are a chance to gather resident feedback on the city’s implementation of the 12-point plan and community/police relations. Join the NAACP, Micah Center, LINC, and other community organizations in holding our city and police accountable. Come speak up and have a say in our city’s recommendations! Join the event on facebook.