GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Four Grand Rapids city commissioners mounted lengthy defenses of their records Tuesday night after facing extensive public criticism over the commission’s handling of police accountability and immigration enforcement issues.

Commissioners Marshall Kilgore, Lisa Knight, Kelsey Perdue, and AliciaMarie Belchak used the final portion of the April 1 meeting to respond to what appeared to be sustained community frustration with their leadership on contentious policy matters.

Commissioner Kelsey Perdue delivered the most extensive response, pushing back against critics who questioned her commitment to the community. “I have been here. I’ve been doing this work for over 20 years, and I do care. I care a lot,” Perdue said during her remarks.

The defensive tone marked a notable shift for commissioners, who typically offer brief acknowledgments of public comment rather than detailed rebuttals. The extended responses suggest mounting political pressure on the commission over hot-button issues that have dominated recent meetings.

Commissioner Lisa Knight struck a more conciliatory note while acknowledging the community’s frustration. “I have hope that we will heal. I have hope that we will change, that we will grow, and we will do so for the better of each and every member of our community,” Knight said.

The commissioners’ explanations focused on what they described as the complexities of implementing policy changes, though no specific votes or actions emerged from their responses. The agenda item was listed as “Commissioner Responses to Public Comments” with no action required.

The public criticism that prompted the responses centered on two particularly volatile issues that have generated sustained opposition at recent commission meetings: police accountability measures and the city’s approach to immigration enforcement.

The unusually defensive posture from multiple commissioners signals ongoing political tensions that show little sign of resolution as the commission continues to grapple with community demands for policy changes.