6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POLICING Two violent incidents within 48 hours involving Washtenaw County and city police have residents questioning whether law enforcement has become too militarized. Many in the community look towards a non-violent crisis response to neighbors instead of law enforcement to mitigate harm. January 4, and January 5, 2026, in Ypsilanti, law enforcement used what many thought was unnecessary force to remove a person having a mental health crisis. The next day an unarmed individual, who still hasn’t been identified, was shot and killed by Washtenaw County Sheriff Deputies. The siege on January 4 and 5 involved the combined police forces of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan, Washtenaw County, Livingston County, Plymouth, Howell, Hamburg Township, Shiawassee County, the state of Michigan police, and Washtenaw county SWAT, who surrounded an Ypsilanti resident for 30 hours because he had a sword in his own place of residency (see Groundcover News January 9, 2026). Ruben Peeler, 53, is still in the hospital but may be facing numerous felony charges. Final charges are unknown while Peeler remains in hospital custody, because he has still not been arraigned. January 20, 20 Ypsilanti residents spoke in support of resolution 202618, “A resolution condemning the militarized policing siege on West Cross Street, calling for all charges to be dropped, and demanding immediate systemic reform,” introduced by Councilmember Amber Fellows (Ward 3). The resolution didn’t pass (see Groundcover News January 23, 2026). February 3, Ypsilanti City Council Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not Flood said he represents the estate of a 34-year-old St. Clair man who was killed by Washtenaw County Sheriff’s deputies on Jan. 6. The man has not yet FEBRUARY 6, 2026 Two recent local injustices reveal law enforcement overreach been identified. "Four deputies are on administrative MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 voted to delay a proposed Police Advisory Commission review of the Ypsilanti Police Department's role in the incident. One day after the stand-off, early that next morning (January 6), a driver was shot and killed by Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies after fleeing and crashing in Ypsilanti. Initially, authorities said the driver was armed, but later said no weapons were in the vehicle. January 22, 2026, authorities in Washtenaw County released dashcam footage of the deputy-involved shooting. The footage showed the chase and shooting that left the unarmed driver dead after multiple deputies opened fire on his vehicle. The deputy-involved shooting happened on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Prospect Road. Soon after the release of the dashcam footage the family of the victim of the deputy-involved shooting announced their plans to sue the Washtenaw County Sheriff Office for wrongful death. “This is a fatal O.K. Corral shooting of a man that did not have a gun, nor did he post a threat of great bodily harm or imminent danger as far as physical harm to another,” said Todd Flood, a Detroit-based lawyer. “It should have never taken place,” reported mLive. to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling an issue more than 4 weeks old. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially leave and under investigation, and will remain on administrative leave while Michigan State Police conduct their investigation,” said Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer. “Law enforcement” refers to government-authorized agencies and personnel, such as police, federal agents, and sheriff's deputies, responsible for maintaining public safety and order. These entities investigate crimes, detain suspects, enforce laws, and protect property. Their core function is to ensure compliance with legal regulations allegedly intended to uphold justice. “Crisis response” refers to the immediate action and strategies implemented to address and mitigate the impacts of a critical event or emergency. It involves planning, mobilizing resources, providing assistance and communicating effectively to minimize harm and to facilitate recovery. Unarmed crisis response, as an alternative to law enforcement, is all about community, ordinary everyday people come together to help and render aid to those who are unhoused, those with mental illness, emotional issues, and those in distress who struggle with drug addiction. There is a noticeable difference between law enforcement and crisis response. I went out into the community and asked a few members of the community what would be the best response to an emergency situation like the stand-off West Cross Street and/or the deputy involved shooting? How should law enforcement respond? vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from A wooden heart decorated with flowers installed in the yard of 1111 W Cross St. invites neighbors and passersby to write positive messages for Ruben Peeler. Or should crisis response groups play a bigger role in deescalating tense situations in their community? Kimberly Daley, who is a social worker and an Ypsilanti resident, said, “The police response to the West Cross Street stand-off was totally inappropriate. I don't know if the police should have that level of military equipment. We need non-violent crisis response groups like Care Based Safety (a non-police team that responds without guns, pepper sprays and tasers), but city leaders refuse to fund Care Based Safety and this is the result.” Carol Smith lives in the neighborhood where the police stand-off took place. “The people in the neighborhood think the situation was handled poorly; the poor man was traumatized.” selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code or leave positive review of a Vendor experience please email contact@ groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website.
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