Several members of the public used the City Council’s public-comment period on Aug. 4 to press officials on policing, public safety and local support for neighborhood programs.

Giovanni Michaelson, who identified himself as a Rockford business operator, accused the Rockford Police Department and the dispatch center of being "complicit in the crime in this community." He described multiple incidents he said affected his business and family, including an alleged robbery while he said officers sat on a corner and a traffic incident in which his children were injured; he said one criminal case later resulted in guilty pleas and that a disorderly-conduct arrest against him was dismissed after video review. Michaelson said he has been moving some businesses out of Rockford and told the council, "everyone that sits here and does nothing about what I say next is complicit."

John Tack Brantley recounted historical civil-rights struggles and said, "Today, I won in court driving while being black. This is second time I done won in court driving while being black," describing multiple prior court encounters he framed as racial-profile disputes.

Prophet Yousef delivered remarks focused on faith and encouragement rather than city policy. Another speaker raised political positions in remarks that included the phrase "Free Palestine." Several speakers asked for follow-up and assistance.

Council response: the mayor said staff would make sure a staff member connects with concerned commenters, and the clerk noted staff follow-up. No formal council action resulted from public comment during the meeting; the record shows staff committed to contact the speakers after the meeting.

Why it matters: sustained public expression of concern about police response, crime and business climate signals community friction and motivated council staff to offer follow-up assistance. The speakers’ accounts were presented as their personal experiences; the council did not adjudicate or verify claims during the public-comment period.