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Grand Rapids commission adopts update to crime-prevention design code, shifts appeals to hearing officer
Summary
The Grand Rapids City Commission unanimously adopted amendments to Chapter 175 (crime-prevention through environmental design), updating code references and moving appeals oversight to a designated hearing officer; public commenters urged inclusion of community groups in program design.
The Grand Rapids City Commission voted unanimously to adopt amendments to Chapter 175, the city’s crime-prevention-through-environmental-design (SEPTED) ordinance, updating an outdated code reference and transferring appeals oversight to a designated hearing officer. The roll-call vote recorded five affirmative votes and the ordinance passed.
City planning staff told the commission the revisions are a targeted, immediate set of changes intended to maintain the program’s effectiveness while a more comprehensive update is planned. According to the presenter, the amendments correct code references tied to property maintenance and streamline the enforcement appeals process by placing oversight with a hearing officer rather than the previous mechanism.
During public comment, D. Jones urged commissioners to ensure that outreach and program design include nonprofits and community groups from underserved neighborhoods, naming the NAACP and the Urban League as examples and urging that police and local nonprofits be part of engagement. "If we are going to be doing environmental design or anything with crime prevention, I hope that we get our people from our underserved communities… people that can really give critical feedback," Jones said.
Another commenter, Mark of Grand Rapids, pressed the commission and staff to consider additional measures to reduce gun violence, suggesting limits on ammunition sales and mandates for affordable gun safes in homes. "You limit the sale[s] to the people who purchase firearms and you put high taxes on the purchases of the bullets," he said, adding that safes would help keep firearms out of the hands of youth.
Mayor Lrand and commissioners framed the vote as a narrow, technical update intended to keep the SEPTED program operable while planning staff prepare broader revisions. The ordinance will take effect following the city’s standard implementation steps and the commission said staff will continue outreach tied to program updates.
The commission then moved to a closed session for personnel reviews.
(Topic in transcript: ordinance presentation and vote; public comments on program design and broader public-safety suggestions.)
