City Manager Mark Washington speaks in front of crowd gathered at Joe Taylor Park to address recent shootings in the city.
Ten shootings took place in the City of Grand Rapids, recently within five days, resulting in six injuries. It is unusual for this number of shootings to occur within this period of time in Grand Rapids.
City Manager Mark Washington held a press conference, Friday, June 28, 2019 at Joe Taylor Memorial Park, 1031 Baxter St. SE.
Along with the City Manager, Interim Police Chief David Kiddle, city commissioners and other leaders gathered to emphasize that the rash of violence is of major concern.
Several speakers gave updates on action steps to curb violence in the city. They appealed for people to come forth and provide information that could be helpful with solving cases.
They also appealed to community groups to step in as resources for helping to keep the community safe.
The following are excerpts from the first three speakers whose comments set the tone for those that followed:
Commissioner Joe Jones: There is suffering going on in our city and it is affecting the safety and well - being of the entire city whether it was felt or not; so I implore all who will hear or read this, to please do your part in helping to change the culture of our city today.
To the residents who have information surrounding some of these recent shootings, please, please, please make a call to Silent Observer at 616 -774 - 2345 and do it for your own children and those who are closest to you.
To the churches, faith leaders, education agencies, mental health providers, government agencies, job training agencies and all others who see themselves as part of the community, you know who you are. Please lean in even more and do your part in changing the culture of our city and helping to ensure public safety.
Interim Police Chief David Kiddle: There have been ten shootings in five days; six people have been injured, including a ten - year - old child.
One arrest has been made and investigators have been following leads on several of these cases.
To compare with the same time frame last year, we've had a 57% increase in weapons firing, a 9% increase in aggravated assault with a gun and a 37% increase involving robberies with a gun.
This increase in gun violence will not be tolerated in our city.
While we are very concerned with what is happening, I want to ensure the people of Grand Rapids that this city is still safe and a welcoming community.
We are by no means under siege. We are, however, going to take swift action to end this serious and unacceptable conduct.
These shootings are not random.
Investigation suggests that some may be retaliatory and others have definable motive.
This is not a case of people driving around the city and shooting randomly at people's homes or at individuals.
Despite this information, we are still in need of more cooperation from the community.
We are undertaking significant means to address this issue.
Starting today, residents will see an increase in police presence in the affected neighborhoods.
The officers will be there for engagement and to insure the safety of everyone who is living, working and playing in those neighborhoods.
We are going to do everything that we can to curb this violence and make sure that every resident feels safe in their homes, work place and locations where they play.
By staying quiet, we send the message that this behavior is acceptable in our community. It is time to send a message that this behavior will no longer be tolerated.
City Manager Mark Washington: I have been watching, with great concern, the incidents that have been happening over the last few weeks and had the opportunity to be on site with Chief Kiddle.
It was my regular day to be participating in observation of the police department and we were there with dispatch when we got the call about one of the shooting and I wanted to be on site. I did have on a bullet - proof vest; but I don't think that I need one anywhere in the city, because this is a relatively safe city.
Although you've heard the spike in violent crime as related to guns, our crime rate is still relatively low compared to other cities and I will not allow the city of Grand Rapids to be mentioned in the same sentence or breath of other urban mid - size or large size communities that have violent crimes that they cannot solve.
Our overall crime rate is about the same as last year.
Fortunately, we are not seeing the results in homicides, but we don't want to wait until it is too late.
That is why I was on the scene of the incident earlier this week and that is why we are on the scene of one of the incidents today.
This is not a time to panic as a community, but it is time to plan. It is time to pronounce that we intend to elevate the quality of life in this community for all of our residents and doing it not just with hopeful thinking, but in deliberate partnership, deliberate planning and really taking back the pride that everyone has in this community.
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