September 15, 2021
Grand Rapids City Commissioners Consider Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis, Not Worried About Finding a New Police Chief
Lansing, Mich., September 15, 2021 – Yesterday, the Grand Rapids City Commission was presented with a draft resolution which would declare racism a public health crisis. The Commission will vote on the resolution at their September 28th meeting. This fiscally irresponsible and time consuming process is taking place as the city delays its search to find a replacement for police chief Eric Payne, who is retiring early next year. MLive reports:
“If approved, the draft resolution presented to the Grand Rapids City Commission on Tuesday, Sept. 14, would urge local organizations, businesses, units of government and individuals to use their influence to ‘dismantle racism and apply a public health framework to those efforts.’”
This move by the Commission comes as local agitators like the group “Justice for Black Lives” sow unrest in the city. In recent months, groups including JFBL have shifted away from the rioting and looting we saw last year to more desperate actions. The group’s leader, Alyssa Bates, recently escalated an interaction with police creating a dangerous situation for officers on the scene, onlookers, and even the suspect. WOOD TV reported:
“Payne said the officers tried to de-escalate the situation, but eventually additional crews were sent to the McDonald’s “due to the subject’s resistance and the crowd”…‘We understand that sometimes bystanders may be upset or concerned about a police contact, but that is not the time to engage or interfere with the officers. That could easily lead to someone getting hurt.’”
As JFBL and others hijack the noble cause for social justice to foment civil unrest, this resolution amplifies these dangerous fringe groups by giving them a platform. It is also a disservice to families and small business owners in Grand Rapids who are still rebuilding their lives and businesses after the pandemic, last year’s riots, and soaring crime rates. Many would like the Commission to focus on more tangible priorities which impact their everyday lives, such as ramping up the search for a new police chief.
“The people of Grand Rapids expect their tax dollars to be used in a thoughtful manner, not squandered on meaningless resolutions,” said Eric Ventimiglia, Executive Director for Michigan Rising Action. Ventimiglia continued, “Grand Rapids residents rely on their city commission to create policies focused on public safety and helping their economy rebound. It is time for the commission to prioritize the real issues affecting the city.”