OCTOBER 4, 2024 HOMELESSNESSS Outrage over resolution to increase downtown policing shuts down Ypsilanti City Council meeting By the start of Ypsilanti City Council’s October 1 meeting, the hall chambers were already standing room only. The increased attendance was due to an agenda item introducing Resolution No. 2024-229. It reads the following: “Whereas it is in the interest of the entire Ypsilanti community to have a safe and welcoming downtown for all Ypsilanti residents, business owners and visitors and; Whereas the downtown currently has areas where safety is a significant concern for many of Ypsilanti residents, visitors and business owners and; Whereas it is inappropriate to focus on the safety concerns of a subsection of the population without addressing the safety concerns of the entire downtown population and; Whereas the effort to concentrate services for a vulnerable population in the downtown core has had a significant negative collateral impacts including open air drug dealing violence and threats to public safety and health and; Whereas business owners and property owners have a right to expect the city to take measures to ensure the safety of all interest a promoting a safe and private vibrant downtown that serves the diverse clientele; now therefore be it Resolved that the city manager is hereby directed to use all appropriate resources including police resources and police presence to ensure a safe downtown for all residents, visitors and business owners; be it further Resolved that these resources shall be used in a manner consistent with respect for the civil rights of all residents, visitors and business owners.” Introduced by Ward 2 Council Member Patrick McClean, this resolution comes after a more than yearlong narrative battle over what safety means on Washington Street in downtown Ypsilanti. This stretch of the neighborhood includes the high-traffic Ypsilanti Transit Center, Growing Hope’s Marketplace Hall, newly reopened Deja Vu Strip Club, Beer Cooler liquor store, the Tap Room and Bobcat Bonnie's bar restaurants, in addition to small clothing, food and other service-based businesses. The Ypsilanti District Library downtown branch — usually providing free Ypsilanti residents waitling in line for public comment completely filled City Hall on Oct. 1. LINDSAY CALKA Publisher restrooms, air-conditioned/heated space to sit and relax, outlets, wifi and other supportive services — has been closed since July 2023. Fed-Up Ministries moved their headquarters to the Growing Hope Marketplace Hall in June of this year. Services including meals, showers, air conditioned indoor space, survival supplies and activities were accessible almost daily. Care-Based Safety also began their pilot placebased non-police response program at the same location this summer. Earlier this year CBS sought funding from the City of Ypsilanti, but on June 4, 2024, the expenditure for an unarmed alternative to police fell short by one vote. A wide variety of Ypsilanti residents spoke about Resolution 2024-229 during public comment on Oct. 1 — housing and shelter activists, renters, homeowners, business owners, people experiencing homelessness, addiction and recovery — and a vast majority of speakers spoke against the passage of the resolution. Many echoed the phrase, "Police do not make us safe" and referred to the resolution as "violent." The business owners who communicated support for more policing of Washington Street articulated that they didn't think the resolution would accomplish much. There was obvious outrage towards the council members, with many speakers purposefully ignoring the rules of public comment. When Mayor Nicole Brown pleaded for respect in the chambers, one speaker responded, “This resolution is disrespectful to us all.” This outrage was directed equally, if not more, towards Stewart Beal, a landlord present in the chambers who has been criticized by his tenants for poor housing conditions and high eviction rates. Beal has publicly pushed this safety narrative with frequent Facebook posts that led to the proposed resolution. When Council adjourned for 10 minutes after a different speaker continued speaking after the three minute allocation was up, the crowd erupted into chants protesting Beal, and Mayor Brown adjourned the meeting for the night. The protestors marched out of the chambers chanting "Shelter not police!" One activist remained in the chambers and was arrested. The protestors switched their chant to "Let them go!" and this collective pressure released them immediately. The vote on Resolution 2024-229 did not occur Tuesday night. Council is meeting again Oct. 4 at 7 a.m. but the resolution is not on the agenda. Formerly homeless activist Seth Best reflected at the end of the night, “Both sides think safety is the problem. Both sides want to spend money on the solution, but one side refuses any solution that involves vulnerable people getting something life-saving for free — and are willing to pay even more to ensure they don't.” GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. Fifth Avenue Press AADL founded Fifth Avenue Press in 2017 to support the local writing community and promote the creation of original content. The imprint publishes works by authors who live in Washtenaw County. Consider submitting your finished manuscript to Fifth Avenue Press at fifthave.aadl.org. Preschool Storytimes and Baby Playgroups Join our storytellers on weekdays inside the library for fun songs, stories, puppets, and movement! Visit aadl.org/storytimes to view a list of upcoming in-person storytimes and playgroups. You can also stream and download our recorded storytimes online at AADL.TV. FEATURED EVENT AADL Halloween Costume Contest Sunday, October 27 • 12–3pm Downtown Library Do you have a creative, cool, cute, or spooky costume? Come in your flashiest, most beautiful, or most outrageous costume to AADL’s annual costume contest! To enter, you must be seen by the judges between 12 and 2 pm. The award ceremony will be held at 2:30 pm. We will have a photo booth in the Lobby to commemorate the day. Check out aadl.org/ costumecontest for details! 5
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