Washtenaw Country Sheriff Jerry Clayton released the following statement today, acknowledging that, yes, a lot of shots have been fired at people these last few weeks, but explaining that they were probably shot at for a reason. From what I understand, our Ypsi Police Chief has yet to make a public statement on the matter, which seems odd, seeing as how at least three or four of the shootings are alleged to have taken place within City limits. Here’s Sheriff Clayton.
Over the last several weeks Washtenaw County has had several shootings. These events have not been confined to one jurisdiction and fortunately have not resulted in any deaths. Understanding that an educated community is our best partner it is important that you be made aware of each incident and understand how you may be helpful.
Currently, this is our number one priority and you should know that all available resources within our agency and partner agencies are being utilized. One of the many values of the Sheriff’s Office is our ability to reallocate staff from other areas in order to fight crime where it is needed most.
Although we have had a number of incidents throughout the county it should be noted that these have not been random. Meaning, it appears that there have been clear targets of this senseless violence. It should also be noted that several of these confrontations appear to be related.
Currently, our detectives are working tirelessly to identify those criminals responsible for these senseless crimes and we will continue to keep the public updated as additional information is available and arrests are made.
We appreciate the information and tips that have already been shared with our detectives and would ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak UP or our office tip line at 734-973-7711.
For more information visit us on the web at www.WashtenawSheriff.org or on Facebook at Washtenaw Sheriff.
Here, for those of you who are interested, are some of the relevant headlines from AnnArbor.com, who you can always count on for a paragraph or two whenever someone’s shot in Ypsi.
Two college students shot in Ypsilanti Township, deputies say
Shots fired at Ypsilanti Township home, deputies say
Ypsilanti man tells police he was shot in the leg while leaving area bar
Ypsilanti residents awake to sound of stray bullet breaking through their window
Woman wounded in arm in shooting in Ypsilanti Township
Ypsilanti police investigate shooting on West Michigan Avenue
43 Comments
To everyone who is calling for stricter gun laws, may I offer this little tidbit: If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars drive drunk, spoons make us fat and underwear cause streaks ! Remember: Hold the person accountable for their actions, not the means they chose to utilize!!
I just woke up and the tiredness of that argument almost put me back to sleep.
By that logic, we should just start infinitely expanding our nuclear arsenals and pursue more research into chemical and biological weapons, since it’s not the things but the people which use them.
You guys really believe your own bullshit, don’t you?
Has Ypsi’s police chief said anything about these shootings?
I apologize for the confrontational tone of the previous comment. I hadn’t had my coffee yet.
I do not apologize for the content, however. This country has to get over it’s inability to take responsibility for violence. That will never happen until the right is willing to admit what guns are for, what they represent, what they promote and what they do to civil society.
I have lived and been to countries which do not have guns, where guns are illegal and where the populace widely swears them off. They are infinitely safer and more civil places than the United States.
I’m sure that we’ll get a litany of mealy-mouthed justifications for the right to own nuclear arms over then next few hours.
Fuck guns, buy a guitar instead.
I am not aware of any statement from YPD on this and I asked repeatedly for a week. I emailed both Walker and Koryzno on Monday January 3rd after the President of CoPAC told me he had received nothing from them either. I asked for information and asked why nothing has been said. I wanted to know if they wanted the community’s help, if there were descriptions they wanted passed on, what could we do to help them keep us safe. There are a lot of electronic outlets in this city and any information we could get could be passed on quite quickly. Someone knows something.
Koryzno responded with, “I recognize that shootings occurring in the city are upsetting, but since they are not confined to any particular neighborhood, nor is there any information that the YPD can share about the suspects, it does not warrant a special notification.”, which is ridiculous, since the city is so small, they were all within three quarters of a mile from each other. It’s not like Ann Arbor where they could be 10 miles apart.
And Ms. Walker ignored me all week until Friday when a 4 sentence response about the single incident specific to my neighborhood was delegated to a Lieutenant. I was given no information about all of them as i had requested. Most of my questions went unanswered.
In my opinion, there’s always information to share. And it’s always possible to do so without jeopardizing the investigation. I know they can’t tell us everything – there are somethings they need to keep quiet on to ensure the success of the investigation. But still, they should say something. Ypsi may get a bad rap even though it’s a great city. And this many shootings within such a small time period is highly irregular. It’s not normal and she should of said something a long time ago, especially since the YPD promotes themselves as a Community Policing style department. Even if it’s just meant to soothe us and let us know they’re on the job. Give us confidence in their ability to keep us safe. To me, being ignored doesn’t instill a lot of confidence in their interest to protect us.
Btw, for those of you not subscribed to YpsiCityList, on Friday January 7th, I put together an email requesting information from residents regarding the shooting. I had received the 4 sentences specific to Prospect Gardens but the rest of my requests had been pretty much ignored. So what went into the email was what i could find based on my own research. Today I found this story in the Courier that had been posted yesterday. Hopefully it’ll help get the word out and someone will come forward with whoever these a-holes are.
http://www.heritage.com/articles/2011/01/17/ypsilanti_courier/news/doc4d34b62d9e69f169263191.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Hey Megan, Is this a personal axe you are grinding with the chief ? Didn’t you get fired from the volunteer police academy and were you not actually actually barred from entering the police station over your actions involving Amy Walkers partner? Did you use the police computer illegally to actually run a background on a private citizen for political reasons?
Whats the real story here? Ypsi has enough drama without you creating more for your own personal reasons.
Why is not city list under your control personally and not Co-Pacs?
Surely there’s a 14 year old boy with a learning deficiency that we can blame this on.
You can try and make me look bad all you want, but the average person will see that my personal history with Ms. Walker has no relevance to the fact that there have been a lot of shootings in a short amount of time and there has been no comment from the YPD on them. There has, however, been a comment from the Sheriff who deemed it worthy enough to speak out about. Our history didn’t make those shootings happen. Our history hasn’t prevented her from speaking out to the community. Our history isn’t preventing her from doing her job. She is a public figure and as such, she should be professional enough to respond to a resident (even one she may not like) who asks legitimate questions regarding her department. There’s absolutely no reason for it to have taken a week and then only speak about one of them instead of all four. Whether we’re friends or not, it’s unprofessional behavior. To behave that way was a decision all her own. I’m just pointing it out and answering the question as to whether the YPD has said anything or not.
Megan,
Why is it so hard to just answer my questions. Weren’t you fired and barred from even coming into the police station? Also, didn’t you illegally use the police computers to check on a private citizen? Why do you, Megan, personally control the Ypsi City List and not Co-Pac and do all the citizens in the city know that it has become your personal list? Co-Pac should control that list for the citizens, not some one who was fired and barred from the Ypsi Police Dept.
Also, didn’t you write a multitude of letters to council protesting even hiring Walker because she had a “partner” on the force? I hope someone has a copy of the letter to council so it can be posted here.
Your attempt to use this blog as a way to get even with the Ypsi Police and Amy Walker is disgusting.
Also, didn’t you write a mulitude of letters to council protesting even hiring Walker because she had a “partner” on the forec? I hope someone has a copy of the letter to council so it can be posted here.
Your attempt to use this blog as a way to get even with the Ypsi Police and Amy Walker is disgusting.
This posting has nothing to do with my history with the YPD, CoPAC, Ypsi City List or the fact that the non-union handbook (which applies to the YPD Chief position) clearly states that a department head may not be romantically involved with anyone they supervise. It has to do with the number of shootings that have been going on lately and the communication by the WCSO about them and the lack of communication from the YPD about them. The point is to try and identify these shooters so we can get them off the street.
If you would like a copy of the letter that was sent to council, I’ll be happy to send it to you and correct the accusations you have listed as well as explain about how the YCL came to be under “my” control. However, this is not the place for them.
lets do it TEXAS style. if granny is packing some one will be less likely to rob her if they fear she may bury a bullet between their eyes. thats why if some one breaks into your home you put a bullet in their head and THEN fire a warning shot through the ceiling. we need an open carry law in michigan.
Megan,
Post your letter right here on this blog! You have used Marks blog to try to undermine our police dept. This has absolutely nothing to do with the shootings and everything thing to do with your vindictiveness towards the police (like their job isn’t hard enough already). You did get fired, right? You did use the police computers illegally to try an obtain information on a private citizen for your own political use? You are using the City List for your own use, right?
You wrote your mean spirtited vindictive letters to council to try and get Amy Walker not hired. Council, the Mayor, the City Attorney, the Union and the City manager put you in your place and did the right thing by hiring her.
Now you just can’t get over being canned and you are looking to throw crap on the chief. PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTIONS.
Again you are going after Walker using the shootings as an excuse. Post the letter to council you wrote, answer my questions and let the readers decide for themselves who you really are and why you are doing this.
And Yes Megan, this is the place for this.
Tell you what, be a big enough guy and give us your real name. Then maybe I’ll spend time defending myself against accusations that have nothing to do with a letter from the Sheriff and no letter from the YPD. I’m done wasting time with the faceless and nameless. My point is out there.
If you are afraid of guns and don’t want to buy them fine, then don’t. But don’t advocate taking away everyone else’s right to own them.
Have you guys noticed that will the downturn of the economy that crime has increased? Do you really think that the police care about protecting you from violent predators when it really comes down to it? Sure they boast that it’s their job to the media, but you are not their family. They get paid to show up whether it’s an armed robbery or a break in that turned into a triple homicide. I know a lot the readers of this blog have families. Do you really, honestly trust government, taxpayer supported police to respond fast enough every time they get a call that involves a violent scumbag? I only trust myself when it comes to life or death. We live in a police state where there are legal precedents set that say police departments have no legal obligation to keep you safe and protected.
So do the anti-gun people here really trust local enforcement to respond in time to save themselves and their families? Do you think ditching a to gun to go barbarian style on an intruder with a baseball bat is just as effective? Would you think it’s fair to someday force a potential rape victim to protect themselves from a madman with only impassioned pleas for mercy and blunt objects because of your idealized no gun law?
Megan Turf, why don’t you just answer my questions? I think they need to be answered so all the readers see your true intentions are. You are misleading the readers. You are trying the paint the Chief in a negative way so you can get even with the Police dept. for canning you.
You are like the vindictive betrayed wife.
I just wish more gun owners would keep their guns locked up or hidden better cause I know there are plenty of guns that get out into the community, in the hands of those who shouldn’t have em, because of break ins and such.
Folks do have a right to have guns but other folks also have a right to not get shot. IMO
Just posted to FB by the Friends of the YPD:
Ypsilanti Police Department
January 18, 2011
From Tucson to Ypsilanti and now to the sad loss of a Livonia police officer, we are reminded that violence in any form and the victims of that violence are woven through the fabric of communities throughout the nation. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and victims in Tucson, Arizona and the family and colleagues of Police Officer Larry Nehasil of the Livonia Police Department.
The recent violence in and around Ypsilanti involving firearms warrants the concern of Ypsilanti residents and our surrounding communities. It has been a priority for the Ypsilanti Police Department Detective Bureau since we experienced three similar violent acts near the end of December 2010. As information is gathered, evaluated, and shared with neighboring police agencies, detectives have determined that the incidents are in fact specific to the victims and are not arbitrary acts of violence against law-abiding citizens. Detectives are vetting out information that was initially provided and have established that two of the three acts of violence may have occurred in another jurisdiction – the victims refuse to cooperate with detectives.
What leads us to be good stewards of our community is how we may aid the police by and through our perceptions, our diligence in observation and the ability to understand what we observed and be prepared to share that information with the police. Ypsilanti residents are asked to remain focused on what is occurring around them, to be observant of their surroundings and be prepared to contact the police when the need arises.
The Ypsilanti Police Department is diligent in our efforts to resolve these recent acts of violence, to find the truth and to assure the citizens of Ypsilanti that they are safe. Our agency aids neighboring police departments and we have provided investigative leads and intelligence that has provided and resolved critical information to their cases.
Again, our deepest sympathy to all the victims who may suffer from senseless acts of violence. As always, we ask the people who live, work, and play in Ypsilanti to be vigilant, be active, and be observant. It is the purpose of the Ypsilanti Police Department to remain steadfast and relentless in making Ypsilanti a safer and more prosperous community.
If you have any additional information and/or tip please contact the Ypsilanti Police Department, at 734-483-9510 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak UP.
Chief Amy F. Walker
With Chief Walker’s permission, I am re-posting her message sent out earlier today:
Ypsilanti Police Department
January 18, 2011
From Tucson to Ypsilanti and now to the sad loss of a Livonia police officer, we are reminded that violence in any form and the victims of that violence are woven through the fabric of communities throughout the nation. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and victims in Tucson, Arizona and the family and colleagues of Police Officer Larry Nehasil of the Livonia Police Department.
The recent violence in and around Ypsilanti involving firearms warrants the concern of Ypsilanti residents and our surrounding communities. It has been a priority for the Ypsilanti Police Department Detective Bureau since we experienced three similar violent acts near the end of December 2010. As information is gathered, evaluated, and shared with neighboring police agencies, detectives have determined that the incidents are in fact specific to the victims and are not arbitrary acts of violence against law-abiding citizens. Detectives are vetting out information that was initially provided and have established that two of the three acts of violence may have occurred in another jurisdiction – the victims refuse to cooperate with detectives.
What leads us to be good stewards of our community is how we may aid the police by and through our perceptions, our diligence in observation and the ability to understand what we observed and be prepared to share that information with the police. Ypsilanti residents are asked to remain focused on what is occurring around them, to be observant of their surroundings and be prepared to contact the police when the need arises.
The Ypsilanti Police Department is diligent in our efforts to resolve these recent acts of violence, to find the truth and to assure the citizens of Ypsilanti that they are safe. Our agency aids neighboring police departments and we have provided investigative leads and intelligence that has provided and resolved critical information to their cases.
Again, our deepest sympathy to all the victims who may suffer from senseless acts of violence. As always, we ask the people who live, work, and play in Ypsilanti to be vigilant, be active, and be observant. It is the purpose of the Ypsilanti Police Department to remain steadfast and relentless in making Ypsilanti a safer and more prosperous community.
If you have any additional information and/or tip please contact the Ypsilanti Police Department, at 734-483-9510 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak UP.
Chief Amy F. Walker
Just my two cents: I don’t see how its the police chief’s or sheriff’s job to make speeches/statements like the one Sheriff Clayton has made. It is their (or the department’s) job to make information available about each case, that is certain. But I just don’t get what Clayton was trying to do here. It just like he was saying “we’re here, we’re doing our job.” Reassurance is nice I guess, but I would have preferred a press conference or statement that included some actual information. It’s like he had the folks at aa.com write it up for him.
I don’t see how Ypsi or YPD have handled these recent cases poorly, or any different from similar incidents in the past. If I had to guess, the above statement was prompted by the Sheriff’s statement and maybe even this thread. It seems there really isn’t any significant information to pass on at this point, and if the shooting victims refuse to cooperate, it may stay that way. YPD can work the case as hard as they want, if there is no solid evidence or witnesses, and the victims won’t talk, they’re not going to get very far.
As for the Megan/Big Guy debate here, if there is any truth to what Big Guy says, I could see how those circumstances could slow down a response from YPD or the city.
Andy,
Not only are the allegations true, they are documented. Check with someone in the know like Matt Harshberger (the old chief) or City Council. Council has the letter Megan wrote about Amy Walker. Believe it, there is a lot of history here between Megan Turf and the Ypsilanti Police. It is all ugly and mean.
The shame is she is trying to use this blog as a tool for her vengeance. The bigger shame is that she has hijacked the Ypsi City List and made it her own personal list. That list was started through Co_Pac as a tool for the neighborhoods to use for crime alerts etc. I am sure I’m not the only one who signed on to this list thinking it was a city controlled list not Megan’s personal tool. This all sucks.
My question is, Why wasn’t someone prosecuted when the police computers were illegally used to obtain personal information on a private citizen? What is the statue of limitations on this crime? Andy, you are a very smart guy, do your homework on this.
And Megan, return to Co-Pac Y[si City List back to the city, the police or Co-Pac, you should not be in control of this.
I agree Aaron, people do have a right to not get shot. Bu the dirty stinking scumbags out there don’t care about your rights. Do you ever watch America’s Most Wanted or I survived? The most horrible home violent crimes are usually not even committed with a gun! The real sickos we need off of the streets knife people and beat them with blunt objects more than you think.
Can someone explain the Chief Walker situation that they were fighting about? I remember hearing about it last year before the Ypsilanti Citizen went under? What’s the issue? A lover quarrel made the police station a bed of controversy? And whats they guy saying about the lady in here getting email addresses for political reasons?
Regardless of what you think, I support the officers of the YPD. Previous Chiefs would never have ignored any resident when asked directly for information. They would have made a statement about these shootings when they first occurred because they actually cared about the community. I want the YPD to do their best for us. I want the residents to help them solve this. I don’t want shooters in the city. And when the current department head is ignoring direct requests from residents, that is not their best. And I’m not going to keep quiet about it. I’m glad that I’m not the only one questioning why we have heard nothing from the YPD on this unusual crime pattern. And, I’m glad they finally did something about it. (Thank you Andy for posting that)
First things first. I did not get fired because I was not employed. However, I was dismissed from the Volunteer Service Corps, conduct unbecoming, because I called out an officer (not Walker by the way) on unacceptable behavior. The officer complained and Chief Harshberger dismissed me from the VSC. The officer in question, and a second officer, both received suspensions because my accusations were dead on. They were out of line, and Harshberger agreed with me. None of it had anything to do with Walker. She wasn’t even there when it happened.
As for me using a YPD computer for anything not YPD specific, you are a lunatic. I did no such thing. And if you’re referring to me using the computer in support of the letter to council, nice try. I’d been out of the YPD for months by that time with no access to their computers.
The letter I sent to City Council last year is not going here, but if anyone wants it, let me know and I’ll be happy to send it to you. Also, it was quoted quite thoroughly in the news last year when the whole thing happened. So feel free to Google it.
My “dislike” of Amy stems solely from the fact that she was, in my opinion, not the most qualified candidate for the position. I’m sorry, but a one year Lieutenant beat out three sitting Chiefs? Please. I don’t believe she was hired on merit. It’s my opinion that she was hired because she would be the cheapest for the city already having financial problems.
I wasn’t going to do this, because I’d rather the entire matter be dropped. I still don’t believe that it belongs here. But I’m done getting smeared by a loser who won’t even use his real name. And frankly, Big Guy, if you really are a friend of Amy’s, I’m pretty sure she’s not going to like you after this, because it was your pushing and pushing that did it. You should have just let it drop.
When Koryzno made his decision last year, I FOIA’ed the resumes. The three key administrative experiences that they were looking for were (1) Fiscal Responsibility and budgeting. All of the external Chiefs had dealt with larger budgets. The other internal candidate had dealt with the YPD budget for the previous two years. Ms. Walker, according to her own resume, had never worked with the YPD’s budget, or anything within 20% of its size. (2) Labor & Employee Relations. Standard tasks of Police Chiefs are contract negotiations, budget for the city, employees, etc. The sitting Chiefs that made the final all had this. The other internal candidate had been the one at the negotiating table for 7 years for the command staff. Ms. Walker, according to her own resume, had helped the YPOA President once in 2001 when she was Vice President. (3) Interaction with the public. This one could have gone either way. I have nothing to say on this one. However, based on the three most important things they were looking for, does she really seem to be the most qualified? Does it really look like she was selected on merit??
My suggestion to Koryzno (for what it was worth) was to go with an external candidate because of the internal division of sides. You’ll remember Koryzno’s words were she was the best fit. It wasn’t that she was the most qualified. She was the best fit because Toosan and Richardson are thorns in Korzyno’s side and they both wanted Amy. Notice lately how you haven’t heard anything about the YPD from either of them??
As far as questioning her being involved with another officer, I didn’t think it was very fair that the city policies clearly stated that a supervisor couldn’t be romantically involved with anyone they were supervising, (Non-Union Employee Handbook, Section 1.05: Personal Relationships in the Workplace “Individuals involved in a dating relationship with a current employee may also not occupy a position that will be working directly for or supervising the employee with whom they are involved in a dating relationship”) yet that person was going to keep their job and the city was going to lay off 5 other officers who were not in violation of anything. There’s no way I was going to keep quiet about that. It was in no way fair to the officers on the chopping block and it smacked of preferential treatment! Which is exactly why the policy is in place.
The labor attorney ruled against my argument because the partner didn’t report “directly” to Walker. He did recognize the validity of the argument and the policy that is in place. However, in my opinion, that’s weak in a department of 30 people. And we lost good officers because of it.
As far as the Ypsi City List goes, the idea came out of CoPAC, that’s very true. However, no one stepped up to do anything about it. I’m the one that did that and no one from CoPAC ever said a word or wanted to have anything to do with it. It is meant for notices to city residents, much more than just crime notices. Events, DPW announcements, City Hall announcements, free classes, events at the library, events at EMU, etc. No editorials go through, so I don’t know what you’re bitching about. Who cares who runs it as long as it passes along city-relevant information? That’s the important part. Is there something of yours that got rejected? Something you want to see passed on? Submit it then.
Big Guy, please STFU. I don’t give a crap about Megan’s “history” with whomever on the YPD. If she is willing to pursue info and post it, Kudos to her –and thank you, Megan! But, I really don’t care to have to scroll through your horse manure comments in order to see valid info. Just shut the hell up and quit being an ass, already!
Sweet Jesus, why am I just now hearing about this? Thank you, Megan.
How about if we ask Mr. Maynard to regulate any further posts that are off-topic. That is to say, comments on how Megan came to be dismissed from the Volunteer Service Corps and banned the YPD; her personal feelings about the qualifications of our current Chief of Police (which should not be taken as fact, but as opinion); and this altogether mutually hurtful and disrespectful banter that is ensuing back and forth, because it is entirely counter-productive.
Can we agree that we would like to see this criminal activity stopped, and these perpetrators caught. Whatever the reasons are that Megan is under the impression that she is not getting the anticipated response, let’s not speculate that it is due to negligence or lack of action on the part of our local law enforcement agencies.
Let’s be a little more mature, professional, and supportive of each other when deciding to post public comments like this. A little goes a long way in both directions.
Megan,
Leave the police alone so they can do their job. You are not telling the whole story here. Your hatred towards the police has more reasons then just being fired from a volunteer position. Were you also not dating someone who got fired who was actually a cop? Such drama while you were “volunteering” makes for a stress filled work enviroment.
Who put you in charge of deciding who should be chief? Do you really think you are smarter then City Council, The Mayor, The city Attorney, the Police Union and the City Manager?
The computer I am talking about is the computer program that the police are issued to run background checks . Did you not use that illegally to run a background on a private citizen while you were volunteering?
I am sure Co-Pac or the police would like to have their Ypsi City List back.
If it were anyone but you making all these accusations against the police, they might be listened to. But you are the scorned police lover.
Kren,
I agree with you. This has all been unprofessional. I just wish Megans hands were clean when she started throwing stones at the chief.
Don’t bring out someones personal life, if you don’t want yours to come out too.
Wow, I can say that I’m really happy I don’t live in Ypsi, or maybe I’m just shielded from the petty squabbles in my own local areas.
So the police chief where you live is completely unqualified, but friendly with corrupt politicians? And she likes having sex with underlings? Sounds like you’ve got a good plan there. No wonder you’ve got a gang driving around town for over a month, shooting at people.
Eel,
I will also ask you to please refrain from making slanderous comments about a public official in this forum. Your statements are untrue and hurtful. Chief Walker is nothing of the sort of person that you are describing, and you should re-think the wisdom your statements for future posts.
Wow, I should have left that last part out of my post I guess. All I meant by saying that was that I could see how YPD, or really any group/government body might be slower to react to people that they may have disagreements/past problems with. I don’t always get the swiftest response to emails sent to city council, for instance. If you spend a lot of time criticizing someone, don’t be super shocked if they aren’t as responsive to you as you’d like.
I do, however, think that Chief Walker and YPD do a pretty damn good job, considering how little they have to work with. YPD ranks pretty high on the list (first or second as I recall) for clearing cases, and Chief Walker is both responsive and easy to work with, in my experience. As I said above, if you don’t have anything useful to talk about, what’s the point of a public statement? Likewise, what is the point of asking for the public’s help if there is not a reasonable expectation of having someone come forward? I don’t really see a point for criticizing the YPD on this issue.
Karen, while I agree with your over all sentiment, I don’t want to see any moderation from Mark outside of obvious trolls (like Eel, for instance) and spammers. AA.com has that covered for everybody. I think this site does a remarkable job of policing itself. The exchange above, while unfortunate, does have merit, or at least for part of its content. AA.com makes a practice of removing background content, and public knowledge and the debate suffer because of it. When you start moderating outside of strict guidelines, i.e. swearing, personal insults, spam, and the like, it all gets rather arbitrary rather quickly.
Andy, I agree. I’ve noticed that AA.com moderates their comments a lot. To the point where there’s clearly an agenda I feel.
Andy, I appreciate your comments, and would say that I pretty much agree with you. I am not an advocate of censorship, and as such have not made any statements discouraging legitimate dialog on the topic along either side. But as you say, if it goes into personal insults, and allegations of unfounded nature, that’s another story.
To the others, all I’m asking – requesting – of all here, that we use our better judgment when posting our contributions to this blog. When you undermine the head at the top, you undermine the body as a whole. This is the collective body of Ypsilanti, and we need to take a different approach towards solving this problem via public discussion.
I think Chief Walker is doing pretty well.
Sheriff Clayton is doing a bit of grandstanding and I found his logic circular: these shootings are senseless crimes make sense because the victims were targeted? Don’t worry – we provide value because we can take away coverage from your area to police someone else’s area that wasn’t covered enough before? eh?
Call me cynical but Sheriff Clayton has a budget problem and a coverage problem and YPD has been used by Ypsi twp to bring him to the negotiating table which doesn’t help his problems.
as for the Megan/Big Guy thing: Megan’s “axe” is well documented and the legal opinions from the attorneys involved come down on the City’s side solidly – including what “supervision” means (direct supervision). Yes, Andy, big guy’s assertions about her issue with the Chief and her work to get Ypsilanti to hire someone else – pretty true and well documented.
That being said, Megan is trying to bring an issue forward that does need some attention and may or may not be related to her ‘axe to grind’ with our Chief. If I were in Chief Walker’s position I wouldn’t say much unless I had something tangible to report beyond “don’t worry these senseless crimes make sense” mumbo jumbo Sheriff Clayton offered up. I think her FB posting was spot on. btw…She reports to Ed Koryzno – not us directly so she has the right, imho, to not respond to some direct email.
The surprise for me is that the Ypsi “city” list is now Megan’s private list. The Co-PAC option is no better given who is in control over that organization. Given the choice between Megan and Co-PAC…I vote for Megan hands down. Co-PAC should work through the neighborhood associations.
http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti-labor-attorney-okays-new-police-chiefs-relationship/index.php
http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti-investigates-new-police-chiefs-relationship/
CoPAC has their own internal list, made up of neighborhood associations and their representatives.
The City is (still) launching their own email announcements list, which anyone can sign up for here: http://cityofypsilanti.com/about/JoinEmailList_Link_html
lorie- could you elaborate on your issue with CoPAC?
A recent spate of shootings in Ypsilanti Township is related to a feud between two groups of people, Washtenaw County sheriff’s investigators say. Sheriff Jerry Clayton says violence has escalated in the last 30 to 40 days.
http://www.annarbor.com/news/sheriffs-dpeartment-says-recent-spate-of-shootings-linked-to-feud-between-two-groups/index.php
Ann Arbor.com moderates the comments to the point that it’s not even worth it to read them anymore. There is no conversation to be had there.
Except on one story regarding traffic circles in which the first comment was from a guy calling them “retarded” and suggesting that they & whoever decided to put them in Washtenaw County should go back to Europe with the rest of the cavemen. I replied that his statement was offensive & I was banned for being argumentative. Nice, huh?
Anyway, I hope this Bash dude just has a crap sense of humor that I’m just not getting. There are pretty much no facts supporting his “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” theory. Just because it looks good on a beer coozy that doesn’t make it true.
There’s no evidence yet that it’s connected to these other shootings, but the body of a gunshot victim has been found in the township.
http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/mans-body-discovered-in-industrial-area-in-eastern-ypsilanti-township/
Was this case solved. Was the recent murder in the Township related. Have the police said anything.