At the Public Safety Committee meeting Tuesday, the Grand Rapids City Commission will get an inside look at what police and business owners are doing to combat this crime.
Many 24 hour businesses have agreed to shut down for a few hours in the early morning to discourage congregating. Some businesses normally closed during those hours have blocked off their parking lots.
"We're also doing enforcement efforts to make sure people aren't congregating in businesses that are closed," GRPD Capt. Eric Payne told 24 Hour News 8.
Most of that enforcement involves enforcing trespassing and parking laws.
Payne said it's a problem that enforcement alone won't solve.
"I think working with the businesses is the solution to this," he said. "Most of them have been cooperative. We continue to meet almost weekly to get updates and to try and see what we can do to work together."
Commissioners will also get an update on issues involving bars in the area and elsewhere in Grand Rapids.
City commissioners can review, and in some cases, request the state deny renewal of liquor licenses granted to bars and restaurants deemed troubled spots.
Grand Rapids Vice Squad Lt. Richard Nawrocki said he'll offer a general review of liquor law enforcement action, but won't be addressing concerns about any specific business.
24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this story.
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