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Safety 95 and GRPD budgets

In 1995, citizens in Grand Rapids voted on a charter amendment that increased funding for police services. The Safety 95 initiative passed, resulting in the city charter requiring that at least 32% of its general operating fund be spent on police services. In 2020, participants in the Black Lives Matter movement, along with other community leaders and members, called for funding of the Grand Rapids Police Department to be reduced or eliminated altogether. However, because of the 1995 charter amendment, the City Commission's options are limited. Any reduction below 32% of the operating budget would require the citizens of Grand Rapids to change the city charter.

This collection provides some historical context for these present conversations. It consists largely of newspaper articles relating to the ballot initiative and a few other items. While published records can help us understand previous decisions, remember that they capture only a small part of the larger conversation that took place in 1995. They do not necessarily represent the experiences or perspectives of the entire Grand Rapids community.

The following articles from June 2020 offer some context of current defunding conversations:

June 16, Some commissioners in Grand Rapids want to cut police funding, but there's a limit, Dustin Dwyer, Michigan Radio

June 16, City commissioner proposes lowering Grand Rapids Police budget, WZZM

June 17, How did a third of the City's Budget get designated to the GRPD, Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy

June 25, Campaign to defund Grand Rapids police ramps up as budget deadline nears, Grand Rapids Press

June 25, Group to Grand Rapids: Cut $9M from police now, WOOD TV8

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collection:
Safety 95 excerpts from Mayor Logie scrapbooks
467-003-1995_ex
Safety 95 excerpts from Mayor Logie scrapbooks

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 2000-2001
GRFPEx_00-01
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 2000-2001

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 2001-2002
GRFPEx_01-02
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 2001-2002

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 2002-2003
GRFPEx_02-03
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 2002-2003

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 2004-2005
GRFPEx_04-05
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 2004-2005

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1989-1990
GRFPEx_89-90
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1989-1990

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1993-1994
GRFPEx_93-94
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1993-1994

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1994-1995
GRFPEx_94-95
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1994-1995

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1995-1996
GRFPEx_95-96
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1995-1996

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1996-1997
GRFPEx_96-97
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1996-1997

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1997-1998
GRFPEx_97-98
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1997-1998

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1998-1999
GRFPEx_98-99
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1998-1999

Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1999-2000
GRFPEx_99-00
Fiscal Plan excerpts, 1999-2000

Ballot for Special Municipal Election
GRP_1995-02-17_001
Ballot for Special Municipal Election

Responsible Citizens Committee advertisement
GRP_1995-03-27_001
Responsible Citizens Committee advertisement

Public safety budget spreadsheet
safety95_compiled_budgets
Public safety budget spreadsheet

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