10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS YPSILANTI Electeds wobble, residents double-down: “Drop Peeler’s charges” LINDSAY CALKA Publisher JUD BRANAM Groundcover contributor Two weeks after the Jan. 4 standoff in Ypsilanti that left a mentally unstable resident in the hospital, facing felony charges, and with his home rendered unlivable by the tactics used to extract him, little is known. Ruben Peeler, 53, is still hospitalized and in custody two weeks after he brandished a sword during a mental health episode and refused to leave his home, not responding to demands from area law enforcement. During more than 30 hours of a military-style standoff, the front porch was ripped from the house, a hole knocked in the upstairs and the interior flooded with a fire hose. The multiunit rental house was rendered unlivable and sits boarded up at W. Cross Street. Peeler faces eight felony charges from the incident. On January 7 the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners published a statement urging law enforcement officials to drop the charges in favor of rehabilitation and counseling for Peeler. The county commissioners’ letter stated, "People in mental health crisis should be met first and foremost with care, de-escalation and compassion. Instead, this individual was met with tactics that escalated fear and exacerbated an already fragile situation." What the charges are for is still unknown. Peeler’s arraignment scheduled for Saturday, January 10, was rescheduled to Sunday January 11, and then indefinitely delayed due to his declining health. The lack of information about Peeler’s charges contributed to Ypsilanti City Council refusing to move on Resolution 2026-18 “A resolution condemning the militarized police siege on West Cross Street, calling for all charges to be dropped, and demanding immediate systemic reform,” introduced by Councilmember Amber Fellows (Ward 3). On Tuesday, January 20, more than 20 Ypsilanti community members spoke in support of the resolution in public comment. Some speakers also demanded more than what the resolution put forward — more accountability, transparency — and questioned why Council was not taking responsibility for the actions of the [police] department they determine the budget for. Others connected this incident to the lack of resources for emergency shelter, unarmed crisis response, eviction prevention and mental health support. Council did not vote on the resolution, citing the potential City liability in the face of unknown charges and lack of information about the incident. Ypsi changes rules for public comment, BOC create ICE-free zones GROUNDCOVER STAFF Tuesday, January 20, Ypsilanti City Council unanimously passed a resolution changing the rules for public comment. The changes extend the public commenting period from 45 to 60 minutes; speakers will also alternate between in-person and zoom attendees in 10-speaker increments. Those who sign-up to speak and do not get a turn are the only commenters allowed to speak at the end of the meeting during the second comment period. These adjustments are intended to expand democratic participation and make commenting more equitable to residents who need to attend online. Wednesday, January 21 Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution moving that “Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers shall not be permitted to enter, remain in, or conduct civil immigration enforcement activities within any Washtenaw County– owned, leased, or operated building, facility, or property (including parking - Sign held up at January 20 Ypsilanti City Council. Fellows then moved to have the City Manager FOIA documents and body camera footage from the Ypsilanti Police lethal shooting of an unarmed man on January 6. This motion failed. Many agencies have put out official statements since January 5. Washtenaw County Metro Dispatch defended protocol. Washtenaw County Community Mental Health shared, and encouraged the use of, their resources. The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office stated they need more time to provide details of the incident. While County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer has acknowledged that the end result of the situation was not ideal, she pointed out that keeping Peeler alive was a top concern that was achieved. "Once it reaches a point where someone is confronting people with a sword, trying to stab police officers, the options become very limited. The number one concern at that point is making sure this person survives. It shouldn't get to that point, so we have to collectively do better on the front end," Dyer told CBS News Detroit. Ypsilanti Police Chief Tim Anderson acknowledged the widespread concern over the response, but said that the situation — a resident brandishing a weapon — dictated a strong response from police. “Based on the information, I think that that was pretty much a textbook in terms of law enforcement callout,” Anderson told WEMU radio. “He was armed with a sword. And information received, I think officers were acting in good faith.” Washtenaw County and the City of Ypsilanti have both begun an independent investigation of the incident. A pair of online fundraisers have raised more than $9,000 to support Peeler’s legal fees and other costs of rebuilding his life. Find your Commissioner and contact information at www.washtenaw. org/202/Board-of-Commissioners Contact Ypsilanti City Councilmembers at cityofypsilanti.com/323/ Elected-Officials Contact Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office sheriffinfo@washtenaw.org, 734-971-8400 JANUARY 23, 2026 areas) unless required by law or pursuant to a valid judicial warrant or court order” and that County employees shall not cooperate with ICE. Further, the resolution urges other institutions to do the same.
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