GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Late-night disturbances in the downtown area continued this weekend. Grand Rapids Police told FOX 17 the trend has been happening since early June.
Timeline:
- Sunday June 4, around 4 a.m.: GRPD responded to “shots fired” calls on the Blue Bridge. When they arrived they found a large group of people gathered on the bridge. One car was damaged in the shooting, and six people were arrested. Two days later, GRPD announced that the Blue Bridge will close from midnight to 6 a.m. on weekends.
- Saturday June 10: GRPD said approximately 100 people, between the ages of 16-25, gathered and caused a disturbance near Studio Park. Police broke up that group. However, another group gathered near Van Andel Arena a few blocks away, drinking and blocking traffic, according to Chief Winstrom. Police arrested several people.
- Saturday June 24 at 8:30 p.m.: A fight broke out at a permitted concert at Rosa Parks Circle. Police, who were already in the area on patrol, were able to intervene and break it up. Police said there were rumors of gunshots but they couldn’t find any evidence of that.
- Sunday June 25 at 1:30 a.m.: Police responded to reports of hundreds of people on Ottawa Avenue near Fulton Street. When police arrived they found 300 people in the street.When they tried to break it up, they were encircled by people dancing and drivers doing burnouts. People also threw glass bottles at them. The group dispersed when other GRPD units arrived.
However, the recent string of disturbances and violent activity have some similarities to events in the past.
Last year, in September, the Blue Bridge was the scene of a late-night shooting that wounded 4 people, prompting GRPD to increase foot patrols in the area.
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Also, the Blue Bridge closed overnight later that month, prompted by public safety concerns.
On Monday, FOX 17 reached out to GRPD for a comment regarding the trend. A spokesperson said no one was available at the time.
