East Lansing City Council members voted on Tuesday to further consider measures city leaders hope will promote public safety in the downtown area, including a ban on loitering in parking areas and public camping, which some residents argued effectively make it a criminal act to be homeless.
Public safety in downtown East Lansing has been a sticking point for the community in recent months as East Lansing Police Department employees have implored local leaders to address rising crime in the area, while many residents have raised concerns over racial bias and accountability within the department.
The amendments to the loitering and camping ordinance will help local partners better serve unhoused individuals while also addressing concerns about safety by patrons that come to East Lansing businesses and events, East Lansing Police Chief Jennifer Brown told council members Tuesday…