AAPD to Hold Trio of Neighborhood Watch Community Meetings

By The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team Last updated Mar 1, 2017 0

Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team

At its Feb. 21, 2017 meeting, Council members voted to allocate $200,000 to hire Chicago-based consulting firm Hillard Heintze LLC to conduct an independent review of the city’s police department. The firm will help the city develop a civilian oversight board for the police department.The city’s Human Rights Commission began studying the idea of a citizen oversight board following the 2014 police shooting of Aura Rosser in her own home. Rosser, a black mother of three, was tasered and fatally shot virtually at the same time after two officers responding to a 911 call entered her home and she brandished a fishing knife, then refused to drop it. The creation of a review board has met with resistance on the part of AAPD leadership. In a lengthy memo to City Council in June 2016, Police Chief James Baird said he isn’t convinced Ann Arbor needs a civilian review board. Chief Baird continues to assert that the Rosser shooting was justified and that there aren’t any systemic issues in the department, though he said he supports going forward with an audit. In July 2016, Ann Arbor residents held a community march through the city to protest AAPD police brutality.

On March 1, The Ann Arbor Police Department announced that the AAPD is inviting residents and businesses in the city to attend Neighborhood Watch Community Meetings. AAPD will share information about police department programs and changes within the department; area-specific crime statistics; prevention tips; and how to stay informed and get involved. These meetings will also provide the opportunity to ask questions or voice concerns.

Meetings are being held throughout the city; and residents and businesses are encouraged to attend the meeting closest to them for information specific to their neighborhoods.

Downtown and Southeast Area Meeting — Scarlett Middle School Media Center, Thursday, March 16, 2017, at 6:30 p.m.
Westside Area Meeting — Forsythe Middle School Media Center, Thursday, April 20, 2017, at 6:30 p.m.
Northeast Area Meeting — Clague Middle School Media Center, Thursday, May 18, 2017, at 6:30 p.m.

Questions about these meetings should be directed to the neighborhood watch coordinator, Police Service Specialist Jamie Giordano, at 734.794.6900, ext. 49528 or jgiordano@a2gov.org.