![]() citizen and Marine combat veteran who faced possible deportation after being referred to immigration officials by a GRPD captain. Carpenter also brought up the case of Jilmar Ramos-Gomez, a U.S. GRPD has a demonstrated history of violating the civil rights of Grand Rapids residents.”Ĭarpenter noted that, as of December, GRPD was the subject of more than two dozen civil rights investigations by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and that three incidents have already resulted in formal charges. “But there’s actually a very good reason why not. “So I know there can be pressure to feel everyone else is doing it, why not us, given our position in the state?” said Ames Carpenter, a resident and activist. And he pointed out that many departments surrounding Grand Rapids already use drones in their police work.īut many residents and activists in the community said that doesn’t mean Grand Rapids should use the technology. GRPD chief Eric Winstrom said the drones could help the department be more efficient, solving crimes and clearing accident scenes. Under a city policy, GRPD has to seek approval from the city commission before purchasing “surveillance equipment.”Ĭommissioners scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday night’s meeting to discuss the drone plan, and residents lined up to speak out against the plan. Grand Rapids city manager Mark Washington is proposing a $643 million budget for the city in the upcoming year, a nearly 8% increase in spending compared to the current year.īut it was a much smaller spending item, not even included in the annual budget, that caused the most controversy at the city commission’s evening meeting.ĭozens of residents came out to speak out about a possible spending item that wasn’t in the budget proposal: the plan for the Grand Rapids Police Department to buy a fleet of unmanned drones to assist with police work.
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