City's plan to combat panhandling concerns downtown: More police patrols, ordinance enforcement
Ann Arbor's so-called 'Graffiti Alley' is an iconic part of town - but also now has a security guard after businesses and residents raised concerns about the atmosphere in the alley.
Stepped-up enforcement of panhandling, graffiti and alley ordinances will also be part of the effort downtown, Mayor John Hieftje said during a Downtown Development Authority meeting on Wednesday.
“We’re working on some new strategies to deal with some of the issues,” Hieftje said.
Hieftje met with business leaders during a downtown marketing task force on Tuesday, then followed up with Police Chief Barnett Jones and Deputy Chief John Seto on Wednesday, he said.
Concerns about the East Liberty corridor have been increasingly expressed this fall, as some businesses close and others continue amid the caution that sales have been affected by what some say is an increasingly intimidating climate on the street.
“We need to deal with it,” Hieftje said. “… You’ll see a real focus on downtown.”
Hieftje said the police department’s primary focus has been finding the perpetrator of the series of sexual assaults downtown. Those high-profile crimes are balanced in some ways by a drop in other categories of crime, according to recent data, he said.
Yet the increased numbers of panhandlers or others causing problems on East Liberty combine with the actual crimes to create a perception that also needs to be fixed for the health of downtown, the mayor said.
One area of concern has been the so-called Graffiti Alley, an iconic part of downtown Ann Arbor next to the Michigan Theater, that became a popular spot for panhandlers and other street people to hang out this past summer. The theater recently hired a security guard to patrol the alley at certain times. Executive Director Russ Collins said the move will combat the perception that the alley isn’t safe.
The problems, John Teeter of First Martin Corp. said during the public comment portion of the meeting, do not include homelessness.
“We’re having problems with aggressive panhandling, people selling drugs, people urinating in alleyways, people defecating in elevators.”
Those actions, he said, have escalated recently. He also explained that they’re involving people who are not Ann Arbor’s traditional homeless population, which he said also has stopped using places like Liberty Plaza due to the more intimidating climate there.
“They’re not in Liberty Plaza (now) because it’s not a pleasant place to be,” Teeter said.
Teeter said First Martin -- which manages 10 properties in the DDA district --- is contributing to the area by maintaining Liberty Plaza another other downtown-area public spaces. It also plans a donation this week to Dawn Farm, to support its outreach effort to people with substance abuse problems.
But he asked for action from the DDA and city officials.
Police presence, even amid declining manpower, is one solution, he said. So are better ordinance enforcement and stronger panhandling rules.
“We need to get more police in the downtown and give them better tools to address the problems,” Teeter said.
Hieftje said that’s part of the plan devised by police.
In coming weeks, the city will publicize the enforcement moves so that businesses will be aware of the heightened approach toward enforcement.
In the past, he said, businesses have complained when they’ve been ticketed over the conditions of adjacent alleys or the presence of graffiti on their buildings.
The indication from the marketing meeting on Tuesday, he said, “is that business groups stand behind the city.”
Hiring more officers to replace people retiring from the force also will be a city priority after the new police contract takes effect on Jan. 1, Hieftje said.
Bob Guenzel, chair of the DDA, said after Wednesday’s meeting that additional steps likely will involve better communication among downtown groups and leadership.
“It’s a good first step,” he said.
Paula Gardner is news director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at (734) 623-2586 or by email.
Comments
angela
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 6:11 a.m.
Also the security guard that was hired hangs out with the homeless people, he does not put them out but hangs out with them.
angela
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 5:50 a.m.
It is a sad day when the homeless rules Ann Arbor streets. It's so very very sad to me that know one gets how this issue effects businesses. Every Day I have customers tell me they are horrified of Ann Arbor streets because of this issue. Let us think about all the potential customers that don't even walk down that side of the street, they cross because they do not want to walk by it. We all do it, (I think in some ways it's natural). I walked out of my shop last Tuesday night, the street reminded me of something I would see in Detroit. No people out at all hardly any cars. Out of business Boarders had 6 homeless people in the old entrance. They even had their own fold out chairs. I look at the alley (of course) crowed with homelessness. The two benches on the corners had more homelessness. To be very honest with you, I was horrified! This is not the Ann Arbor I remember. It's a very sad day to me when I cry out for help to our; mayor, chef of police, and the police department, and I get told it's not a big deal. Tonight I even got down talked to by an officer, for calling the police to help because of course their was a crowd of craziness going on. She talked to me in a tone like I was the criminal. The straw that brook the camels back!!! If Ann Arbor is that ignorant, when two business are going out of business due to the homelessness on our street, Boarders is gone. When I'm crying out for help and saying this is killing my business. When my 10 year daughter can't walk past that nasty alley without being called f###ing Jazminn. And I get treated like a criminal by the police department when I'm crying out for help. You guys can have them. Keep trying to act like it is not a problem. When it's putting great business out of business and see what you end up with.
racerx
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
An about face by two-face, and now there's a need to have a greater police presence in the downtown. Gee, you think? But, someone was comfortable with the level of police officers in this area even as a rapist was/is roaming about attacking women. So now I wonder, how will this be paid for? What other area's that a police presence will not be at since, I assume, officers will have to be shifted to the downtown area? It's this simple approach that could've been used to quell some of the issues with two night clubs when they let out at 2am. (Studio 4, Dream), but, the city took another route and closed these places down due to being a "public nuisance". But we all know this was due to the clientele that frequent those two clubs and developing a simple approach was never in the works. But now with a "perceived" issue of aggressive panhandling, undesirables lurking in alleys, now a certain someone decides to do something. There is a serious void of leadership at city hall.
Sarcastic1
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 11:09 a.m.
The dismantling of the police department started several years ago. A force of 200 officers is now down to 117. Any perceived increase in patrols is a fallacy.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:50 a.m.
Gee, you'd think this was some new & radical move by the city and AAPD. Get a grip: this kind of legitimate suppression of potentially dangerous types has been going on since there've been cities in America. It's not a novel concept: government has a legitimate obligation to defend society (if not individuals) from a general threat. Anyone who takes every opportunity to put a political slant on things just to express their displeasure at "the other side" is omitting something. That is that all politicians of both (and all) parties use this tactic of publicly responding by increasing police presence do so because: the public thinks like that. It works - so that's more telling about "the public mind" than it is about any particular politician. I don't see anything wrong with turning the tables and making this a city of "mean streets" - for the indigent panhandlers instead of the indigenous population.
Cosmic Ray
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.
Right you are. Why do we have a plague of bums AND pot holes, but no chain gang?
J Shaker
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:35 a.m.
seems as though lots of folks want to blame local business closings and crime on individuals experiencing homelessness. not the case. i think it has more to do with a crummy economy and inflated rent. plus, panhandling does not equal homeless, nor the other way around.
nixon41
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:17 a.m.
Well said Mr. Goldsmith :)
julieswhimsies
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:43 a.m.
Forget panhandlers! We need more foot patrols at night...There IS a rapist still at large, is there not?!
julieswhimsies
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.
jns. I do not understand your remark. Are you trying to be funny? If so, shame on you. There is nothing funny about rape. Rape is about violence. It occurs year 'round. Period.
jns131
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:56 a.m.
It is getting cold out there. He might be back next summer?
a2why
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:23 a.m.
You would think that if the police dept had suddenly found enough manpower to enforce the pedestrian crossings, that they could spare an officer or two to patrol the downtown area.
racerx
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.
The difference is that patroling doesn't generate revenue, whereas, enforcing pedestrian crossings and actually catching those who break the law does.
celeste Novak
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 11:04 p.m.
This alley would be a great place for an urban food cart court. It would be great to support teen incubators and activize this area instead of "guarding" it.
Laurel
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
I don't know that I would eat anything that came out of that alley, regardless of if it was prepared in a food truck or kitchen. : s
racerx
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
@celeste Novak-great idea, and the solution might be just around the corner at the Neutral Zone.
yourdad
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:51 p.m.
that's the type of thinking we need. Rather than spend unknown amounts of money protecting a graffitti filled alley, lets make it an officially city licensed street vending location. How well would they do when the area bars let out or after a big sporting event and folks just want a brat, dog, or walking taco? Then the city could hire local artists (read young expressionists with spray paint) to decorate to adjust for seasons and events.
Laurel
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 10:19 p.m.
So they can afford to pay an on foot security guard and police to monitor the alley and East Liberty, but they didn't think it was worth investing in some on foot personnel for the assaults on State Street? I saw patrol cars, but actual on foot police were absent, excluding meter readers. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, just another example of business taking premise over personal safety and the rights of women.
Laurel
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
Yes, I know this, that's why I said on foot police were absent... They increased patrol cars, but the sidewalks were clear.
racerx
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
Those foot security guards were put in place by local businesses. McKinley put a guard in Liberty Square parking lot, and I think the Michigan Theatre put the guard in the alley. It was not the city's doing. Blame the city for the lack of a police presence during the rape attacks. The mayor thinks that there is enough of a police presence.
paul wiener
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
BRAVO!!!!!
Spanky
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 9:11 p.m.
The problem goes well beyond panhandling. I own an appartment building on 4th ave. I have bums, yes I said Bums, passed out in the front lawn and deficating in the back yard where they also pass out behind the old beer vault. It scares the tenants and I have trouble renting appartments. As long as we keep feeding and housing these BUMS, they will keep coming and keep hanging around. That is at the heart of the problem.
angela
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 6:03 a.m.
But remember they have the rights, not us as business owners. I just dont understand it
godsbreath64
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
Its not that I don't agree, your post below actually nailed it.
Laurel
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 10:21 p.m.
@Godsbreath I think you misread this post. The author was talking about renting out the properties. I know some of the apartments across from Liberty Plaza have a hard time finding tenants as well because frequently the park campers use the cramped parking lot as a place to shoot up and smoke down.
godsbreath64
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
If you have trouble renting in Ann Arbor you need to go to the mirror to solve your problems.
2020
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
Does this mean, they will lighten up on enforcing the Silly Pedestrian Crossing Ordinance? If it was just for safety reasons: The fine would be $5.00, not One Hundred dollars. I think the two points on your driving record is punishment enough. This is just another way for Ann Arbor to make money. An if you don't believe it, you are kidding yourself. I can see the day, where people will just "screw" with traffic by walking up to a road, watch the motorist slam on their brakes, and then the pedestrians will just turn around, and walk the other way.
racerx
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
Ohoh, "Occupy Crosswalks!"
treetowncartel
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
Paint over the graffiti.
treetowncartel
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 4:24 p.m.
Build it and they will come.
godsbreath64
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.
Paint over your conscience, first.
xsnrg454
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 8:39 p.m.
I know a place to find a few more cops... I think they even have experience.
Laurel
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
@huh7891, I used to work there in my early college years. They do more than eat while they're around and they stay for longer than lunch.
racerx
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
Idling and wasting gas while sitting at speed traps or crosswalks!
jns131
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.
Coffee, donuts and a quiet place to get thru the shift without a care in the world.
huh7891
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 11:21 p.m.
I know Laurel.... police don't need to eat do they?
Laurel
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
Like where? The Arena sportsbar?? Hahaha
godsbreath64
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 8:35 p.m.
This is great news. Now every Buffy and Jodie part time residents can work on perfecting their alcoholism without the burden of the pesky officers enforcing the law.
Lonnie
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 8:32 p.m.
I love Graffiti Alley, but have been too frightened to go in there for some time. Today, when walking by the alley, I saw the security guard, so I ventured inside, and had the best time looking around, taking my time looking at all the paintings and messages, and wandering down the mysterious pathway to the right that had great sky views between the building walls, and nice graffiti that I hadn't dared to walk back and see before. I do hope the street entertainers come back to the alley, and that the alley stays crime-free from drugs and alcohol (hopefully gum-sticking and dancing/guitar-playing aren't a crime).
Laurel
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.
Graffiti is a crime however, so I also hope that the security does not heckle the artists... Without the art, the alley would be cold and barren and quite...well, frightening.
Sparty
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
Fewer police stretched further and further Mr Mayor? Who will patrol idling cars and crosswalk violators now? You are a travesty and the role model of weak leadership at a time when Ann Arbor needs true leaders. I hope our upcoming votes reflect the need for change by adding an independendent and even some republican voices to the city council - and I'm a proud democrat but I fear this is the only route to a needed shakeup of our city administration.
racerx
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:17 p.m.
@Rob-ditto. I'm a life long Democrat too, and, sad but true, let's at least try a moderate republican!
nixon41
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.
Well said. Bravo
treetowncartel
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 8:13 p.m.
If people would just giving panhandlers money then panhandling will phase out. Carry around a can of soup or a bag of celery with some peanut butter and give that to them instead.
Spanky
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 9:14 p.m.
If you feed a stray cat, it's yours for life.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
How about a nice hawaiian punch.
Alan Goldsmith
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 7:49 p.m.
"We need to deal with it," Hieftje said. "… You'll see a real focus on downtown." Wow, what a novel concept. Lol.
djm12652
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 7:59 p.m.
yeah...but wait until the "novelty" wears off....
Jack Eaton
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.
I offer my sincere thanks to the city for its efforts to restore police patrols in the downtown area. I hope that this new emphasis on the downtown area doesn't result in reduced police patrols of the other areas of town. In reality, the City needs to place a higher budget priority on police and fire services.
angela
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 6:09 a.m.
They are just making statements to make it sound like they are doing something. I called the police tonight about the alley and I as the business owner got treated like a criminal, the officer was so mean. I said to her why are you treating me like this?
racerx
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
@Jack Eaton-this same approach could had been used to deal with the issues of two night clubs letting out at 2am. Just having a police presence at these places would likely had stopped issues that they were cited for and sought by the city to close. Sad. A thriving business paying taxes closing because the city didn't like the clientele that frequent these places.
Carole
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.
We need to staff our police force to the original numbers prior to cuts to provide safety for all. Having foot patrols would definitely help with a more safe downtown area.
ToddGack
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.
Where do you think the City will deploy these police officers from? They will do the usual band aid approach by taking officers from one area of town to downtown. You get what you vote for and you see how the Mayor loves do everything by social experimentation which hasn't worked yet for this city.
Alan Goldsmith
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.
"In the past, he said, businesses have complained when they've been ticketed over the conditions of adjacent alleys or the presence of graffiti on their buildings. The indication from the marketing meeting on Tuesday, he said, "is that business groups stand behind the city."" That isn't quite the same as standing behind YOU Mr. Mayor. Don't think it is. Your leadership has failed, with you feeling 'comfortable' about fire and police cuts and your focus on trivial issues instead of the ones that matter. A real leader plans ahead to avoid crisis--a weak one responds after things are falling apart. It's obvious which category you fall into.
angela
Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 5:59 a.m.
I very much agree our mayor has failed. When I called him about the issues he state: the crime is higher is Lansing. WOW.
KeepingItReal
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
If everyone will recall, Guenzel who is now chair of the DDA bulldozed the development of the Delonis Center in downtown. This was against the wishes of many Westside residents out of fear of the very thing that is happening now. Everyday, residents of the Delonis Center are required to leave the center around 8:00 a.m. so they are out on the streets for most of the day. Many of them don't work and/or have substance abuse problems and do panhandle. They are in need of mental health and other support services These people are now being castigated because of a lack of foresight on behalf of government leaders as they are now consider a nuisance. Pretty soon, the emphasis will shift locally to locking them up just to get them from our "precious" downtown and away from our "traditional" citizens.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.
I did not say the Center was closed. What I said is that the residents are required to leave by 8:00 a.m. everyday supposedly to look for work, seek services or other opportunities. Unfortunately, it has not worked out like that. Many residents on the old west side tried to tell Guenzel this but he was so intent on getting his way that he failed to comprehend their concerns. Instead, their opposition was cloaked in the jargon that they did want "these people" downtown, which was not the case at all. Now what is happening is their concerns are now being realized and the downtown "traditional" citizens are ready to uprise over this. I predict that our local jail population will increase as a way of controlling this problem. We will end up paying lots money to the jail system as a means of paying of the cost to build it. This is another legacy of Guenzel who is now the Chair of the DDA
J Shaker
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:05 a.m.
since you were wondering, the Delonis Center is not closed during the day. it is open all day every day and provides a wide array of services.
jns131
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:52 a.m.
That is what I am wondering too. Fumigate maybe? Who knows.
Carole
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 10:38 p.m.
Why does the homesless shelter need to be closed for the entire day. There used to be a day shelter on Ashley Street before the new one was built where by folks could hang out there, eat, etc. With the big beautiful building, I don't understand why it is closed during the day.
Ricebrnr
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 7:18 p.m.
"Will the city's changes change your perception of East Liberty?" WHAT?!!?!? Who cares how you perceive or FEEL about it? Will the city's changes MAKE East Liberty ACTUALLY SAFER? Make it safer and then people will perceive it to be so, jeez!
2WheelsGood
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
I agree. However, perception and its relation to personal safety should still be discussed. Even if they do MAKE it safer, and people then PERCEIVE it to be safer, it will never truly BE safe. Safety is always a relative term, and bad things can happen anywhere at any time to any person. It makes me laugh that people who won't visit other countries because they perceive them to be unsafe (and rightly so) will wander down the streets of Ann Arbor in the dark, wearing headphones, while texting, and probably drunk, all because they perceive it to be safe. Don't ever take your safety for granted ANYWHERE.
nickcarraweigh
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 7:09 p.m.
Anything that doesn't involve sacrilege to the Constitution as a whole, while genuflecting to the Second Amendment in particular, simply won't do.
golfer
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 7:07 p.m.
why stop here. do the hwy exits. they still make money without paying taxs. still a racket.
WakeUpNow
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:20 p.m.
I dunno, I don't think panhandlers make enough to tax. Try panhandling sometime as an experiment. I kinda think you could consider these folks "nonprofits". Anyway, the money you give them has already been taxed, maybe 2x so far, why the heck would you want to tax it again??? and give it to inept government who will waste it anyway. I think this tax 'em thing is a non-issue and doesn't get to the root of the problem. Just some thoughts.
Laurel
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 10:28 p.m.
Seriously? Just do what everyone else does and ignore them...
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 6:35 p.m.
" He also explained that they're involving people who are not Ann Arbor's traditional homeless population" Anybody else get the feeling that "traditional" is just a weasel word in that statement? Regardless, since they are not part of the "traditional" loveable and fun crowd, there should be no issues chucking them in jail for breaking the law, or better yet, giving them a one way ride it Inkster (which, per my understanding of our police chief is where he imported a quite a few from in the first place).
yourdad
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
Thank you for the clarification. I feel like the use of the word "traditional" is referring to the fact that in most communities the homeless population is much older than we are seeing around AA. There appears to be a growing segment of seemingly homeless youth (under 25) that fregquently will panhandle and hand out in areas with "traditional" homeless groups. As for the liberty elevators, my daughter almost threw up when the door opened up to find a "traditional" vagrant urinating towards the control buttons. That was all for our family! If we can't find a spot on the street, we don't stay! No matter how good the carmel apples are.
Jimmy McNulty
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 11:59 a.m.
@Steve in MI, EyeHeartA2 is referring to an article several months ago where the chief admitted dropping off (dumping) homeless (years ago) from his town to AA because AA took better care of the homeless at that time. To say EyeHeart is libelous and much less racist is completely unfounded. It is you who owe the apology for stirring the race pot when there is nothing in it.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.
@Steve in MI; Ignorance is bliss and in your case, a reason to call somebody a racist (but you didn't really need a reason, did you?). Please read the following: <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/detriot/ann-arbor-struggles-homeless-influx-161745423.html" rel='nofollow'>http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/detriot/ann-arbor-struggles-homeless-influx-161745423.html</a> I don't need to accuse the chief of anything, he admitted it in front of city council. I'm not sure why that would make me a racist. Perhaps you can explain that at the same time you apologize for accusing me racism and libel (but I doubt we will ever hear from you again on this thread). @Paula <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_word" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_word</a> "Some weasel words may also have the effect of softening the force of a potentially loaded or otherwise controversial statement through some form of understatement" In this case, it seems that John doesn't want to (for whatever reason) say that the homeless in the area are causing problems, so he qualifies it as "traditional homeless" whatever that means. This way, if anybody accuses him of being "anti-homeless", he has the ill defined "traditional" clause to weasel out with.
jns131
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:50 a.m.
Paula? How can a washing machine help the homeless when the homeless and et all don't want to help themselves? Sad to say, give em a free handout and they will take it all the way to the liquor store. The homeless are homeless for a reason. Those that want out aren't in those shelters and those don't? Are in Ann Arbors nice new hilton homeless shelter. Gotta stop supporting them.
thecompound
Thu, Oct 6, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
I thought there had been an article on aa.com where the police chief did say he sent homeless people to Ann Arbor before he worked here? Also, with the word "traditional", it makes me think they are inferring that Ann Arbor's usual homeless population are just down-on-their-luck lovable scamps and hobos.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 7:51 p.m.
We tend not to respect people who choose to use public elevators as their personal bathrooms. I'm also skeptical that many who panhandle are actually homeless and/or in need.
Davidian
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 7:37 p.m.
Steve, If you're gonna call anyone a racist, look in the mirror. You're the one insinuating that everyone from Inkster must be a minority. I get your point, but calling EyeHeart a racist is very unfair and hurtful.
Paula Gardner
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 7:01 p.m.
I'm curious to hear your definitions for "weasel word." My interpretation as I heard John talk - and sat through comments from a shelter administrator at the meeting, as she expressed support for contributions that let the shelter buy a washing machine - was that it conveyed that many in the city respect both the people who live in the street and the efforts to help them.
Steve in MI
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 6:55 p.m.
EyeHeart - that comment is about as far out of line as a person can get. Our current police chief has a resume that includes stints in Wayne Co., Oakland Co., Inkster, and Sterling Heights... and you're accusing him of importing lawbreakers from Inskter to Ann Arbor for some nefarious purpose. Yes, "traditional" is a weasel word in that sentence. But your accusation is libelous and racist. Please back it up with facts and evidence, or retract and apologize.