“First Amendment Audit” of ELPD Draws Widespread Attention Online
A “First Amendment Auditor” films police officers and other government employees to audit their reaction to minor disturbances.
A “First Amendment Auditor” films police officers and other government employees to audit their reaction to minor disturbances.
The victim of the scheme received a call from an individual posing as her distressed 16-year-old granddaughter.
Meridian Township police are investigating the graffiti.
New ELPD Interim Chief Jen Brown has served as a deputy chief for the department since December 2023.
Besides the major agenda items, City Manager Robert Belleman shared at the meeting that the city is struggling to fill some key positions.
The city’s police oversight commission shared its 2023 annual report, and BWL reps spoke about rate increases, and future energy projects.
A change in procedure has ELPD requesting commissioners watch footage at set times with officers or the city attorney present.
As East Lansing prepares a search for its new police chief, ELi has learned that there will be two internal candidates in Deputy Chief Jennifer Brown and Interim Chief Chad Pride.
The city was able to provide an update on the financial impact of the cyber crime, but few other details.
In April, the city announced Johnson was being investigated after an internal complaint was filed against him.
Few details are known at this time, but City Manager Robert Belleman has confirmed the ELPD chief is on leave.
Though controversial, the amendments to the ordinance regulating the city’s police oversight commission are meant to provide clarity, and not change how the commission functions.
Members of the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission shared concerns about proposed amendments to the ordinance that established the commission.
MSU and East Lansing are joining together to provide support as everyone continues to process the Feb. 13, 2023, tragedy. Luminary kits are available today for one event planned for Tuesday.
Here are the stories on the reporting and editorial team’s radar in the new year.
City of East Lansing and local service providers suspect the call is a hoax but are, nonetheless, working to be prepared.
The Downtown Management Board heard crime statistics from ELPD Deputy Chief Chad Pride and about the Advent House Ministries homelessness outreach program.
City Council heard from 20 members of the community during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting.
Facilitators will revise the use of force report and recommendations based on ELIPOC and community feedback.
Officer Katey Harrison identified parking garages as hotspots for nighttime activity as well as the Fieldhouse and Harper’s.
Erik Altmann, Mark Meadows and Kerry Ebersole Singh are sworn in, joining George Brookover and Dana Watson on City Council.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning during celebrations downtown, two days before Halloween. ELPD reminds community members to take safety precautions.
The commission also discussed the “sustained” allegations against an ELPD officer for repeatedly calling a woman after getting her phone number while on duty.
Public participants held a “dialogue” as they sought solutions and suggestions for a plan to guide the ELPD.
Commissioners also discussed during the Aug. 2 meeting reported incidents of ELPD officers looking in parked cars and seeing guns.
Commission Chair Erick Williams calls the April 2022 police shooting at Meijer a “learning opportunity” and offers recommendations for the future.
Two new commissioners and ELPD Lt. Adam Park made their first appearances at the police oversight commission meeting.
Taylor Knickerbocker said she tries to interact with the community as much as she can and typically ends up in a police car to do outreach each day.
The goals and objectives of the department for the coming year include working with a number of community groups and serving EL’s diverse population.
Public and commissioners voiced differing opinions on the ELIPOC’s relationship with the ELPD.
The staff at Blue Owl Coffee contacted ELPD after numerous high-stress encounters with the man.
Incident has led to a special investigation by the library board and complaint to the EL Human Rights Commission.
Police use of force policy continues to be a topic of discussion; commission is looking to fill three openings.
People experiencing behavioral health or mental health crises make up a “significant portion” of police use of force incidents in East Lansing.
A single threat of violence led to the emergency closure of EL schools and locking of City Hall doors.
This article has been updated throughout the day.
District officials will communicate more information later today.
When should law enforcement decide not to respond to a 911 call?
Interim director of human resources also gives notice joining a wave of people leaving city jobs.
Council members and city officials make emotional statements in the aftermath of the MSU mass shooting.
Students, MSU librarian share their stories and their emotions with ELi.
Students and other members of the community gathered on Wednesday to mourn and to vow to take action.
As of 11 p.m., the shelter-in-place order continued for all of East Lansing.
Independent Police Oversight Commission continues to press specific issues.
The latest events occur as ELi continues to work to understand what happened at the school on Tuesday morning.
Photos and videos of the individual have appeared across social media.
ELPD called the school to confirm it was, in fact, in lockdown.
We took your questions about traffic patrols, downtown robberies and assaults, crime-solving and more to East Lansing Police Captain Chad Pride. Today, we bring you the answers.
The 146-page report prepared by CNA was presented to City Council at the Dec. 6 meeting.
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, East Lansing’s City Council is poised to make decisions on whether East Lansing should be declared a Sanctuary City and whether the DDA’s loan on the Evergreen Properties should be refinanced again. ELi explains how you can weigh in.
Interim President Teresa Woodruff strives for positive relationship between the university and city.
Members of the public attend Nov. 2 meeting to provide input to commissioners and city representatives.
Although no public announcement was made about the city manager’s job assessment, Tuesday’s meeting had lots of tension on other issues.
After an internal investigation, two officers are found in violation of wrongfully searching and detaining a 20-year-old Black man.
“We do not have enough information to determine whether or not the threats are credible – so we’ll err on the safe side,” said Superintendent Dori Leyko.
The “Virtual Listening Session” revealed tensions around ELPD, the Independent Police Oversight Commission and issues of race and resources.
Plus: ELi brings you a video taken just after the Sept. 11 downtown shooting showing some fleeing the scene while police rush in.
Recommendations put forth by the city’s Independent Police Oversight Committee are approved 3-1.
“We are going to do whatever we can to try to curb this issue,” said East Lansing Police Captain Chad Pride.
A total of 31 bullet casings from three different caliber guns recovered at the scene.
Numerous community members came to denounce Nessel’s decisions regarding the April shooting of a young Black man by ELPD officers at the Lake Lansing Meijer store.
In this edition of Ask ELi, we bring you answers on tax assessments, the sewer system, ELPD social workers, and unpaid parking tickets.
The Independent Police Oversight Commission passed a motion to advise ELPD Chief Kim Johnson to release police video footage of the officer-involved shooting at the Lake Lansing Meijer. Heather Brothers reports on last night’s meeting.
It’s unclear from a City press release if one or both officers fired shots at the individual, who was transported to a local hospital. The two officers involved are currently on paid administrative leave as the Michigan State Police investigate.
Andrew Graham is joined by Heather Brothers to discuss use of force reports and the Police Oversight Commission. Give a listen!
The Commission decided to delve into complaints and use of force reports beginning in April. Heather Brothers reports for ELi.
Council re-upped a policy that streamlines the process for restaurants to apply for expanded outdoor seating, but the big news about the City’s settlement in a FOIA lawsuit was buried in the consent agenda. Andrew Graham reports.
The City of East Lansing resumed public meetings this week after pausing meetings outside of City Council during the omicron surge. On this episode of the Insider, the ELi team digs into what some of the boards and commissions have been up to as the City gets back to action.
The commission unanimously approved a motion that directs City Staff and the police to ensure information that the Oversight Commission will be working with is available to the public. Heather Brothers reports.
UPDATED: ELPD identified the individual who died on West Road early Tuesday morning. The incident is still under investigation.
Food trucks and a continued suspension of meetings for the City of East Lansing’s boards and commissions: we bring you a quick rundown of some things we’re keeping an eye on.
ELi’s mission is to bring East Lansing the news. Here’s a look at what we think we’ll be helping you to know about and understand in context in 2022.
We asked our reporters which stories that they wrote meant the most to them in 2021. They answered, passing along a varied collection of stories for this year in review.
The DDA recently approved spending up to $40,000 of public money to install security cameras downtown. But even before installation, these cameras offer a look into the current state of East Lansing politics and policy on a number of issues. Alice Dreger reports.
East Lansing’s Independent Police Oversight Commission has still not examined the police department’s use-of-force reports from October or November despite meeting twice already. But the group did press ELPD officers on issues of racial bias, transparency, and cooperation at the Commission’s second meeting on Monday.
The search continues for the missing 18-year-old Grand Valley State student, contrary to circulating rumors today of a body being found. Police divers are searching the Red Cedar River near Sparty.
ELi faces a persistent lack of transparency and thus an unnecessary uphill climb in our efforts to report on what your local government is doing — including with your money. ELi City Desk reporter Andrew Graham brings the story.
The DDA voted in favor of funding more cameras to be used by ELPD, but not before a lively discussion about privacy and how to welcome people downtown.
Grigsby recently ran for City Council and helped form the Police Oversight Commission. He joins the Insider as a regular voice this week, along with Andrew Graham. Listen in!
ELi reporters Andrew Graham, Heather Brothers, and Jack Timothy Harrison dive in to some recent ELi reporting on couch burnings and policing. Give it a listen!
Alcohol cases at Sparrow’s ER surged, as officers faced a “more destructive” than usual crowd. Newly installed Mayor Ron Bacon is backing Jessy Gregg’s call, saying what’s needed is “a united front against destructive, malicious and dangerous actions.”
Should ELPD administrators attend the Independent Police Oversight Commission meetings? What information should be included in use of force reports? Here’s what the commissioners had to say at their first meeting.
Alerts sent out by MSU tonight indicated a man with a gun in the area of Woodmere and Grand River Avenues downtown. ELi brings you the latest and reviews the recent spate of violence in East Lansing.
Officers found two people dead from apparent gunshot wounds after responding to a call on Saturday evening, according to ELPD Deputy Chief Steve Gonzalez. Later that evening, a shooting near the downtown CVS left someone hospitalized.
While ELPD and MSU officials promise repercussions for burning couches and vandalism, MSU students tell ELi’s Jack Timothy Harrison how they view Saturday’s postgame events. The gap is clear.
ELPD is looking to identify, arrest, and prosecute those who set fires and destroyed property over the weekend. The scene became “a very serious safety issue for our emergency responders,” according to ELPD Chief Kim Johnson.
Young people mostly in Spartan garb set fires in EL neighborhoods after MSU beat UM in football. Police and fire officers were well outnumbered. ELi brings you video.
“In March 2020, we turned in over 4,000 confiscated IDs to the ELPD that we collected from the school year, just September to March,” said Pat Riley, the owner of Harper’s Restaurant and Brew Pub and the Responsible Hospitality Council’s president.
Emily Joan Elliott and Heather Brothers discuss City Council’s debate over a new labor contract for command officers in the East Lansing Police Department. The two then provide a weekly news round up.
Council approved the Settlement Agreement between the City and ELPD’s command officers in a 4-1 vote. Why did a Council member ask for discussion on the contract and ultimately vote against it?