Business owners and residents urge action on downtown safety; council considers discussion-only session

Multiple downtown business owners and residents told the council that late-night loitering, camping and violent incidents have damaged the business district’s safety and economic vitality. Ali Hader, who said he has owned a downtown business for about 30 years, described loitering and camping on Grand River and Abbott and urged the council to “bring back a narrowly tailored loitering ordinance” and expand the camping ordinance to the downtown business district.

Several other speakers described violent encounters and large late-night crowds. John Vlahakis and Paul Vlahakis recounted witnessing stabbings and fights and credited ELPD for swift responses in some incidents; others described traumatic personal interactions with police. Gary Mescher and other residents raised noise and public-safety concerns tied to aftermarket mufflers, and Dr. Aldman (council) noted that an existing ordinance (15-41) now prevents officers from pulling over vehicles with modified mufflers and said the council should revisit it.

Council members acknowledged the breadth of concerns. Council member Watson said she had not been fully briefed on welcome-week incidents and called for more transparency and access to footage in appropriate cases; others suggested a discussion-only meeting to map options beyond simply increasing police presence. City staff said traffic-calming projects and MDOT coordination are in process and invited residents to upcoming community workshops on housing and infrastructure.