GRAND RAPIDS, MI — March 25, 2025 — During its March Public Safety Committee meeting, Grand Rapids city officials presented wide-ranging updates on public safety, including detailed overviews from the Fire and Police departments, alongside discussions on emergency management and youth employment. While department heads emphasized operational successes and transparency efforts, the session also surfaced concerns about narrative control, program equity, and strategic direction.

Fire Department Stresses Prevention and Performance

Fire Chief Brad Brown opened with the department’s 2024 annual report, highlighting 25,415 incidents and nearly 35,000 response calls. He emphasized a less traditional metric—the department’s “break-even date”—indicating March 7 as the day the department had saved more property than its annual budget costs. While this messaging reframes impact, it drew no substantive questions about how “savings” are calculated.

Hotspot mapping revealed persistent call volume in the Third Ward and core city areas, reaffirming the need for the under-construction Kendall Station. Emergency medical service calls have plateaued due to preventive outreach, including homeless services and medical declination protocols. The department cited a 49% return-of-spontaneous-circulation rate for cardiac arrests—well above the national average.

Special operations like technical and water rescues have increased, partly due to policy shifts. Notably, the department resumed elevator rescues, once deferred to private contractors. Chief Lehman described the shift as a value-add, though no cost-benefit analysis was provided. The department also noted data-driven planning underway for potential reinforcements at Leonard Station.

Police Emphasize Transparency and Documentary Controversy

Police Chief Eric Winstrom focused on the department’s transparency initiatives, notably a collaboration with Discovery ID to document internal police operations and high-profile cases. While he presented the series as a tool for recruitment and community understanding, concerns were raised by Commissioner Kilgore over the potential re-traumatization of viewers and the optics of showcasing traumatic events.

Winstrom countered that the documentary highlights both police and community voices, citing his own long-standing relationship with the production team. He acknowledged that not all community members would approve, particularly vocal critics who, he argued, remain unwilling to engage in direct dialogue.

In operational updates, the chief shared data showing declines in auto thefts and a steady clearance rate above the national average. The department recently received national accreditation for its 911 dispatch center, a milestone Winstrom touted as validating internal reforms. The police also addressed concerns surrounding a recent downtown brawl involving hundreds. Officers used pepper spray and non-impact pepper ball launchers to disperse the crowd, with no injuries reported.

Emergency Management and Youth Engagement

Outgoing Emergency Manager Allison Farole announced Grand Rapids’ designation as a “StormReady” city, and summarized 2024 activities including a full-scale active shooter drill and coordination with FEMA following a severe storm. Farole’s departure marks a transition for the office, which she helped build from the ground up. The committee thanked her for her service.

Shannon Harris, executive director of Our Community’s Children, presented on the Grow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program. Now entering its sixth year, the initiative has served 1,150 participants, with a goal of placing 130 youths in 2025. Despite strong performance metrics, questions emerged about equity: commissioners why Hispanic youth were underrepresented, and why disability status was not included in program data.

Harris explained that the city cannot legally ask applicants about disability status unless voluntarily disclosed, but efforts are underway to make the program more inclusive, including partnerships with the Disability Advocates Association. On wage competitiveness, she noted that the $13/hour rate may need future adjustment.

Broader Takeaways

While both fire and police departments presented positive trends and accolades, the session revealed gaps between public messaging and accountability. The police department’s use of a national media partnership to project transparency was met with caution, and the Grow1000 program, though effective, may need refinements in outreach strategy.

City leaders appear committed to evolving Grand Rapids into a model of integrated safety and youth development. But as officials praise progress, residents and some commissioners are increasingly pressing for more critical evaluations of outcomes, not just optics.