Greenwood Avenue residents concerned about safety after weekend attacks and April stabbing
When Ben Mason awoke Monday morning and heard news of two weekend assaults near his home south of the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, he admitted feeling uneasy.
Mason,20, had only lived on Greenwood Avenue for about a month, and the crimes - which hospitalized 4 people and followed 2 stabbings during a block party in April - were not something he’d seen in other campus communities.
The incidents have him concerned. His housemate, Phoenix Voorhies, agreed.
“I chill out here everyday. I know a lot of my neighbors, so that’s why it’s so disturbing to me,” Voorhies said.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
According to reports from Ann Arbor Police, 4 people were hospitalized early Saturday after fights broke out on Greenwood and nearby Michigan.
At about 1:41 a.m., a 24-year-old man from Romulus and two Belleville men, ages 17 and 20, were punched and kicked by several men on Michigan Avenue. Minutes later, at 1:45 a.m., a 19-year-old California man was jumped from behind while walking on Greenwood Avenue and later was beaten and robbed as he lay on the ground.
Officers learned of the 19-year-old’s injuries after responding to the University of Michigan Hospital, where he was being treated for pain and cuts to his head. The man had little memory of the attack, said Det. Sgt. Brian Jatczak.
Jatczak said the Romulus man injured in the Michigan Avenue attack told police a handgun was pointed at him and said he was struck by a bat. That man and two others he was walking with were taken by ambulance to the University of Michigan Hospital. The three had cuts to their faces and arms, but nothing was taken from them.
Jatczak said police were already nearby after they had responded to Greenwood Avenue an hour before on reports of several loud parties.
“When it’s in a street like that, it’s hard to tell how many houses were involved,” he said. “We’re still investigating the whole thing.”
Greenwood Avenue on Monday.
Alex Johnson, 21, said he saw a scuffle out in front of his Greenwood Avenue home and didn’t recognize those involved, nor did his next-door neighbors.
Others living on the street said they thought the men involved in the fight likely came from another part of the area or were visiting from out of town.
“They were trying to start stuff—you could tell—but they would start it and walk away,” Johnson said of the suspects.
This weekend’s attacks came a month and a half after two men were stabbed in an altercation with another group of men during an annual block party near the 900 block of Greenwood Avenue.
In that incident, both men suffered severe lacerations to their neck and arms. Police reported one man was briefly admitted to the University of Michigan Hospital and the other was released after treatment.
Jatczak did not see a connection between the suspects involved in the April 23 incident and those involved in last weekend’s fights.
However, they combine to raise safety concerns for residents, who worry that this week's events couldn't be attributed to bad decisions fueled by drinking at the annual block party.
Mason learned of the April stabbing just after moving into his house on Greenwood and said he chalked it up as a conflict that somehow escalated.
“This is a little more frightening,” he said of the violence last weekend. “It’s a little more disturbing when three grown males were walking together.”
Jatczak said he did not believe there was any immediate danger to those living on Greenwood Avenue, but said police continue to investigate the stabbing and fights.
Some students who said they did not receive crime alerts from the university hoped to see them for Greenwood Avenue incidents, even if the street was not located within the campus' jurisdiction.
Mason planned to send an email to his neighbors suggesting they figure out a back-up alert system, such as whistles or air horns, to use in emergency situations. He hoped to stay on the side of caution and thought a safety plan would be helpful for both him and his neighbors.
“We’ll definitely have to take some steps,” he said. “I know a lot of people in these houses, so I don’t know why we can’t all be on the same page and have everyone’s backs.”
Heidi Fenton covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heidifenton@annarbor.com or 734-623-4673. You also can follow her on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
Grimey
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.
All this talk about "not enough cops" and assuming that they could have prevented these assaults is a load of junk. Didn't the previous article state that "Officers didn't learn of the assault until they responded to the University of Michigan Hospital"? How can police stop crime and catch criminals if the public or victims do not inform them? Anyhow, it seems A2 has enough cops; last week it took two of them (in the same squad car) to write one speeding ticket for 5 MPH over. 2 officers for 1 speed trap? C'mon.
Grimey
Thu, Jun 23, 2011 : 9:06 p.m.
@Riceburner, was the speed "lowered on the ticket?" It's a tricky question; that stretch or road has fluctuating speed limits with a 5mph difference. Regardless, It would have equaled with or without a break to be 5MPH over in either zone. Yup, they got me. Yup, I paid the ticket. Maybe two officers were necessary because that road leads to... YPSI!? Eeeek!
Ricebrnr
Thu, Jun 23, 2011 : 10:21 a.m.
The overnight shift begins at 7p so yes as I thought. Since we haven't had a new hire in forever it could not have been a rookie and a TO. Also the danger is from the traffic stops not nec the neighborhood. You didn't clarify if your actual speed was higher and was lowered on the ticket.
Grimey
Thu, Jun 23, 2011 : 5:35 a.m.
@ Riceburner, it was shortly after 8pm in the dangerous neighborhood of... Geddes Ave and Appleway.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Jun 23, 2011 : 12:25 a.m.
I don't suppose you got that ticket at night? When staffing levels allow they often double up on the night shifts for officer safety.
Grimey
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 11:11 p.m.
@Huron74, the public still needs to inform the police that a crime occurred so they could view the surveillance footage. It's not as if there's someone watching what's being recorded on the cameras all the time. It's the publics responsibility to report crime. @nowayjose, I didn't see how many officers it took to write the ticket, they were writing it back inside their vehicle. Who knows, maybe there were a few more cop in the squad car as well... How many cops does it take to write a ticket?
nowayjose
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 1:06 a.m.
@grimey. Wow that's odd. So you are saying you saw the two officers share one pen and write one ticket? Now that's teamwork in my book. Or are you mad for getting a ticket for 5 over when you were doing 15 over, because I don't know any cops who pull over people going only 5 over
Huron74
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
@Grimey "How can police stop crime and catch criminals if the public or victims do not inform them?" Ah...put up a surveillance camera?
63Townie
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
This is EXACTLY what happens when you eviscerate the AAPD & FD. Oh, but Mr. Mayor doesn't believe crime and fires happen in Ann Arbor. Just ask him, he's "comfortable" with his decisions.
Mike
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.
Why don't you personally pay for one police officer and put him where you think he would be best deployed? They can't be everywhere at once
Ron Granger
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 3:23 p.m.
Residents in that area need to call police when they see suspicious behavior. I lived two blocks from Greenwood a few summers ago. People regularly threw bottles into the street at night. I once saw a police cruiser (in response to a complaint) pull up just as a bottle was thrown. It smashed five feet from the cruiser. The car's windows were open, but they did not investigate the large porch crowd that threw it. They just slowly kept driving...
Wolf's Bane
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 11:37 a.m.
What Police? They don't come. I think this is University of Michigan's problem, let them pay to fix with their Athletic Department surplus!
hawkaways
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
Well, since the city is putting our tax money into "human services" I have a plan. We could hire homeless people to patrol Greenwood Ave and heck, the entire city.
racerx
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.
Close the whole block down, have council investigate the parties, give the city attorney the power to close every party house down like the Dream Niteclub and Latin Quarter! Where's the outcry! Out of control fights, mayhem, people in the streets loitering about! Gee. I guess it just all depends on who the patrons are and what side of town you're on!
Mike
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
Don't forget to confiscate their property too. Let the government run the rentals they do such a good job with housing projects.
Wolf's Bane
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
I think we can all agree that Greenwood's landlords need to start reference checking their tenants, not the tenant's parents, okay? After all, we know that most of these 'students' have their rent covered by mommy and daddy. Also, summer subtleties are usually not students, but folks looking for cheap, temporary housing for the summer to blow off some steam. Perhaps, tenants and landlords could regulate whom to sublet to? Ultimately, the situation will require community involvement, not more police.
Wolf's Bane
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 11:36 a.m.
Sure glad I live in Ypsilanti.
maya
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 11:47 p.m.
It sounds like the thugs rule the city after the sun goes down. I sure am glad I don't live in Ann Arbor.
jcwest32
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 2:19 p.m.
Let layoff more cops and then talk about all the crime problems within the city. Sounds like things are going to be fixed fast.
Huron74
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
I hope all the hysterical university/student types that were deeply opposed to police monitored surveillance cameras for high crime areas last year have their noses rubbed in this issue. No there can't be police everywhere and no we can't afford all the cops we used to have. But something that would likely help like these cameras is worth consideration. But the typical AA resident can't see past the simple black-white solutions. Hire more VERY expensive cops (with the corresponding tax increases) or do nothing at all is the dialogue. Somehow I doubt the university/student community who opposed the cameras will learn much from past events. They've probably all graduated, dropped out or taken other jobs and are now gone. And which is another good reason not to take their concerns or opinions that much to heart. They're just transients who come and go. We who live here and pay for everything don't need to coddle them as much they seem to think we do any more than you'd make expensive house remodeling decisions based on the "advice" of a weekend house guest. Put the cams up on Greenwood and let 'em bitch. They'll be gone soon enough for the most part. And if they stay on they can help pay for it all too just like us townies.
anti-thug
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
What are you talking? this Ann Arbor no high crime areas lol well that's what they say online
smokeblwr
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.
No it's not! I'm all over the map!
Huron74
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 2:19 p.m.
@smokeblwr But you would be happy with police check points on roads to keep the "out of towners " out in order to "keep you 'safe' "? That's not terribly consistent.
smokeblwr
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
Ummmm, yeah. I'd love to have the government watching me 24x7 with a camera to make sure I'm "safe".
ToddGack
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
College parties are always going to happen and the trend in the past 5 years has been that some not so good people come into Ann Arbor to go to these parties. While at these parties, the not so good people steal from the house they are at. These not so good people also while walking to other parties will rob the college kids of their cellphones,backpacks and wallet. One way to prevent a lot this from happening is not having such large and out of control parties so the uninvited criminal element will not be able to attend. But unfortunately that will not happen so it will continue.
smokeblwr
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
Bingo. College kids are easy pickings for criminals. They are full of money and in the evening full of beer which removes what little common sense they've acquired growing up in their parents' gated communities. It's funny, 20 years ago if a college kid got jumped on the street the most the thugs would get from him would be the cash in his wallet which was probably less than $10. Now every kid is a walking treasure trove carting around hundreds of dollars of electronics as well as credit cards on their person.
Ricebrnr
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
"Would not hourly drive down Greenwood better serve the community than passing out tickets for such a minor infractions. Seriously, Greenwood is only one block long, the Ann Arbor police can't handle that? " Odd. When I did a 4 hour ride along on a Saturday last month, the officer made a point to check this street. We covered a lot of ground. Could you perhaps consider that: 1) The police can't be everywhere even assuming appropriate staffing levels. 2) AA Administration has been gutting the force for a long time now (not just recently) 3) There's only so many patrols to go around. 4) The Mayor is comfortable with that even if you are not. Think about that come election time. Just a thought so you can place the blame more appropriately.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Jun 23, 2011 : 10:24 a.m.
Yessir! Probably in July. Waiting on a part and a holster...
2WheelsGood
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 7:04 p.m.
Ah yes, I was as well. See ya in Saline, eh?
Ricebrnr
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 1:02 p.m.
Maybe..... kidding, I believe I have said as much in previous posts.
2WheelsGood
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 10:08 p.m.
So you were in the Citizen's Police Academy...
walker101
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
How about giving a description of the three grown males that were walking together, if you knew there were 3 of them and yet you didn't release what they wore of if they were white, black, hispanic or whatever maybe someone else that lived around the area could identify or at least say they had seen them.
Heidi Fenton
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.
@Walker 101 Police said the injured 19-year-old had little recollection of what happened on Greenwood Avenue and could not provide a description of the attackers. The three men injured on Michigan Avenue described two of the attackers: One is believed to be a black male, about 24 years old, wearing a blue and red baseball cap. The other was described as a black male,about 25 years old, unshaven and wearing a black T-shirt. He was estimated around 6 feet, 2 inches tall. A link in this story goes back to an earlier article with the information.
smokeblwr
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 12:24 p.m.
"Others living on the street said they thought the men involved in the fight likely came from another part of the area or were visiting from out of town." Again, reconfirming my ironclad theory that OUT OF TOWNERS are responsible for this robbin' spree. Build a wall around the city!
Ricebrnr
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.
Ok to be fair that same quote indicates it's speculation and also proposes that they might just be from a different area. As in another neighborhood within AA
smokeblwr
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
It's "Out-of-Towner On Out-of-Towner" Crime!!!
Ann English
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 1:15 p.m.
It caught my attention that out-of-towners were targeted by the criminals (2 from Belleville, 1 from Romulus and 1 from California).
WalkingJoe
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
We know what the response of the city is, let's lay off more police.
Mike
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 8:45 p.m.
And pay them with what? Parking and traffic tickets?
Kaye Mears Garthwaite
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 11:37 a.m.
Greenwood has long been the street know for out of control block parties. Despite this common knowledge there is very little police presence. However, the police department can sit one block away to hand out tickets to anyone who turn the wrong way from Arch Street onto Packard. Would not hourly drive down Greenwood better serve the community than passing out tickets for such a minor infractions. Seriously, Greenwood is only one block long, the Ann Arbor police can't handle that? Does it take a loss of life before they give it the attention it deserves!
Mike
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
It's a matter of funding; no tickets = layoffs. Want more police protection? Pay more in taxes, it's that simple. We're a society that wants it all and can't prioritize how we spend the money we have. Now we've overspent for years and can't make anything work financially in our government. I'd hate to be a cop and look at all of the problems in society and not a darn thing you can do about it. We now have more children born out of wedlock than in stable homes. I know, "get with the times, that's the way it is". Too bad it doesn't work. Two income families and kids with no supervision. you create a society by raising the children to be responsible and accountible, many are neither. Plus if you rough someone up as a police officer, even in a fight, you face charges and an investigation. It's easier to write tickets and stay away from street brawls. If you kill somebody it's worse than if they kill each other. Think about it before you cry about the lack of police protection. I'd write tickets too.
ferdcom
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
Sounds like you got a ticket.