Grand Rapids Police Department arrested 18 persons in Heartside Park last week, 11 of whom on felony charges.
The July 1 enforcement operation was “proactive” and meant to address criminal activity and improve “quality of life” in the park, a GRPD spokesperson said via email.
Arrests were made for multiple outstanding warrants. Other enforcement concerned narcotics offenses, parole violations, alcohol violations, littering, and other quality-of-life measures, the spokesperson said. Police also seized $1,400 in suspected drug proceeds during the operation and issued five citations for ordinance and park-related violations.
The spokesperson told The Grand Rapids Herald that there were no use-of-force incidents during enforcement.
“These initiatives also reinforced that many of the ongoing challenges—including homelessness, mental health concerns, and substance use disorders—extend beyond the role of law enforcement,” said a GRPD spokesperson via email. “Long-term success will continue to depend on strong partnerships between GRPD, City departments, community organizations, businesses, and service providers.”
Dozens of Google Maps reviews for the park report open drug dealing and substance use. Many of the persons who spend time at the park have apparent mental health issues, reviews say. Needles and trash commonly accumulate.
“This isn’t somewhere you want to be,” stated a review from a year ago. “Drug sales and addicts.”
“This is a great park in the middle of the city but unfortunately it is one of the places where our unhoused members of the community are welcome, which is very needed an (sic) important, but it takes away from the park as I will not take my children to it because of what is seen and heard while there,” stated another from 10 months ago.
The Herald spoke to several people in the park on Thursday afternoon. They did not see police make any arrests, but said GRPD had issued more tickets for open alcohol containers and smoking in the last week. Several called the citations harassment.
Grand Rapids banned smoking and vaping in city parks, effective Jan. 1, 2021.
Between June 22 and July 3, foot patrol officers conducted similar enforcement in the 200-300 blocks of S. Division. During this time, there were 10 arrests and 15 citations issued.
“As the initiative progressed, officers observed fewer ordinance violations, fewer large congregations, and improved access to sidewalks and business entrances during periods of visible police presence,” the police spokesperson said via email.
Write to juliana@grherald.com