After a long night, the Ypsilanti City Council on Tuesday tabled a resolution directing the City Manager to use all appropriate resources, including a police presence to ensure a safe downtown. Protests at an earlier meeting forced it to be shut down.
Drums were steadily beating on the sidewalk outside of Ypsilanti’s City Hall as people expressed strong opinions on the resolution. Supporters say crime is out of control downtown, but opponents claimed the resolution put too much emphasis on punitive solutions and doesn’t address root causes like homelessness.
Mayor Nicole Brown struggled to keep order as vocal opponents continually interrupted proceedings. Police removed a few, but none were detained. Brown says the outbursts only make it harder to come up with solutions.
“It’s mind-blowing that, even with people who are saying things that you agree with, folks are willing to disrespect them too, on both sides!”
Brown says the Council will now create a subcommittee from numerous entities to have a proactive discussion about what can be done to protect businesses and help people in need in the downtown Ypsilanti area.
Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support. Make your donation to WEMU today to keep your community NPR station thriving.
Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
Contact WEMU News at 734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org
