GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — DeeDee Chaunte believes that the core pillar of policing is not always followed in West Michigan's largest city. That cry for change became louder after the death of George Floyd.
"Can you really hear us? Are you hearing us? Do you see us? Are you getting involved? Are you doing the right thing or are you doing what you have to because we're calling for it?" Chaunte said Wednesday.
Chaunte is part of the group Family Over Everything, a group that formed following early protests of police brutality in late May. The group has held protests and welcomed community members to take part at the corner of Monroe Ave. NW & Pearl St. NW for months now. The group says they are encouraged by a new plan from the Grand Rapids Police Dept. that is focused on neighborhood-based policing, but they say there are holes.
"The Chief, out of his own words, several times he said our job, our goal is to protect life and then property and then so forth, but there are so many things we could be putting ahead of property," says Chaunte.
Chaunte said the group would also like to see funding from the police department re-invested in the community.
"There's still things that the community wants and has asked for that aren't even involved in this plan, one of them being a reform in the budget of the police, that's not even mentioned anywhere in this new plan," Chaunte said.
The city has set up a portal for public feedback on the plan, which can be accessed here. There is also a town hall set up for Aug. 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. on the police department's Facebook page.
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