GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A video showing multiple arrests in Grand Rapids’ Boston Square neighborhood has prompted community concern and a departmental review.
Police Chief Eric Winstrom said the incident began Friday morning when officers were flagged down on Kalamazoo Avenue SE to investigate a group of men reportedly carrying an AR-15-style rifle and a 9mm handgun. That group was arrested without any use of force.
While officers were handling that situation, a separate group of men—identified as members of the Boston Square Neighborhood Association—approached and “inserted themselves” into the scene, according to Winstrom. Several of them were also arrested.
One man was tased after the officer gave nine verbal warnings. Winstrom said the scene was “fast-moving and unpredictable” and defended the officers’ actions as being within department policy.
The Grand Rapids Police Department is reviewing bodycam footage and other video from the scene to determine if any violations occurred.