Death threats, dried pig fetus among concerns Ann Arbor officials reported to police
Updated Mar 07, 2021;
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ANN ARBOR, MI Facing criticisms from constituents is part of the job of being an elected official, but in Ann Arbor some argue it’s reached a disturbing level.
Some City Council members report feeling personally harassed on social media and elsewhere, and in some cases threatened, prompting some to file police reports.
Council members have shared those concerns at recent meetings and in interviews, acknowledging they’ve turned to police, one reporting alleged death threats.
In a particularly bizarre case, a council member reported someone placing a dried pig fetus outside his business. It’s unclear if it was related to his work on council.
Should Ann Arbor cut $30M police budget to fund mental health crisis responders?
Updated Mar 02, 2021;
Posted Mar 02, 2021
Elisandra Rosario holds a sign in the air as she marches down Washtenaw Avenue as part of a police brutality protest in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. The protest, organized by Survivors Speak, marched from the Washtenaw County Sheriff s Office to Arborland Center.
(Jenna Kieser | The Ann Arbor News)Jenna Kieser | The Ann Arbor News
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ANN ARBOR, MI One Ann Arbor council member said last June city officials had received, by his count, over 2,000 emails from citizens calling for defunding police.
Ann Arbor exploring policy on reporting bribes after councilwoman’s blog allegation
Updated Jan 13, 2021;
Posted Jan 13, 2021
Elizabeth Nelson, D-4th Ward, speaks at the Ann Arbor City Council meeting on July 1, 2019.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News
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ANN ARBOR, MI An Ann Arbor council member’s allegation that an Airbnb property investor hinted at a potential bribe offer in exchange for her vote has been referred to the city attorney and police chief, officials said.
City Attorney Stephen Postema publicly discussed the issue with City Council’s Administration Committee and City Administrator Tom Crawford on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
“It’s certainly an appropriate topic to discuss,” Postema told the committee, which is now exploring whether the city should draft a new rule or policy concerning improper solicitations of council members and requirements for them to report such incidents when they happen.
Ann Arbor considering ban on police use of facial-recognition technology
Updated Jan 07, 2021;
Posted Jan 07, 2021
An Ann Arbor Police Department K-9 Unit parked outside the police station on Dec. 31, 2020.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News
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ANN ARBOR, MI Ann Arbor officials are considering a ban on police use of a facial-recognition technology.
The issue came up this week as City Council reconsidered its recent approval of a $348,308 contract for new dashboard cameras for Ann Arbor Police Department vehicles.
Even though facial-recognition technology is not part of the contract and Police Chief Michael Cox said AAPD doesn’t use it, Linh Song, a council liaison to the city’s police oversight commission, said she brought the contract back for reconsideration Monday night, Jan. 4, to have a public discussion about it and address concerns.
Ann Arbor Police Department getting its first all-electric Ford Mustangs
Updated Jan 02, 2021;
Posted Jan 02, 2021
Ann Arbor Police Department SUVs parked on Ann Street outside the police station on Dec. 31, 2020.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News
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ANN ARBOR, MI The Ann Arbor Police Department is adding a couple all-electric Ford Mustangs to its patrol fleet.
City Council OK’d the $93,926 purchase of two 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles at its last meeting in December.
“The Mach-E is an all-electric, small crossover vehicle that is new on the market,” Matt Kulhanek, the city’s fleet manager, told council in a memo, noting the city is purchasing all-wheel-drive models for winter weather conditions.