YPSILANTI, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) — An Ypsilanti City Council meeting on Tuesday was cut short after one person was arrested and some council members had to be escorted out the back of the building.
Ypsilanti Mayor Nicole Brown had to adjourn after one hour when community members became heated and emotional while giving public comment on a resolution aimed at addressing public safety in the downtown area.
Many business owners at the meeting shared that they no longer feel safe going to work and regularly witness open drug use and sales, prostitution, and, in some cases, have been physically threatened or witnessed assaults.
“There is daily intoxication,” said A2 Vintage owner Kelly Callison during the meeting. “My children watched people having sex on the sidewalk as we were walking down Washington [Street] picking up trash. That is an issue that needs resolve. I don’t know what the solution is, but it is not fair to expect citizens and property owners and building owners to shoulder that burden when we are doing the best we can as it is.”