Street Gatherings To Be Discussed

NOTES:

• The following article as it appeared in the Ann Arbor News had some inaccuracies. As displayed here, corrections to the factual errors are underlined.
• See also Notice of Curfew Enforcement from the Ypsilanti Police Department.

Ann Arbor News    Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Residents of the Gateway neighborhood in Ypsilanti and several community organizations will meet Thursday to discuss neighborhood-wide problems growing out of a habit of dozens of youth and young adults gathering in the evenings around Harriet Street.

Ypsilanti City Council Member Trudy Swanson and Interim Police Chief Matt Harshberger said the meeting was prompted by the number of curfew violations, fighting, drinking and drug use, and trespassing disturbances among the nearly 100 people drawn to the area at night.

Harshberger said police will start curfew sweeps this week to curb the problems. During the sweeps youth under age 17 who are found out in public not under the supervision of a parent or guardian between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. will be released to a parent or guardian, and both will be ticketed and fined for violations.

Harshberger also said officers will be enforcing Harriet Street Zone violations. Anyone picked up for street problems, including fighting, drug and alcohol use, prostitution and weapons violations will be issued a conditional bond. Anyone on conditional bond who returns to Harriet Street, between Hawkins and Huron streets, faces jail time.

Swanson and fellow City Council Member Lois Richardson joined with the NAACP, the Gateway Community Council and the Heritage Park Neighborhood Association to sponsor the meeting on Thursday, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Perry Child Development Center. Ypsilanti Police will attend.