Latesha Lipscomb

Stories

Grand Rapids seeks artist for gun violence memorial sculpture

City contact for the memorial RFP and selection process

Three people died in shootings across Grand Rapids in four days. Days later, the city issued a $20,000 request for proposals for a permanent sculpture honoring gun violence victims, its first memorial to the crisis as a whole.

Updated Oct 9

Grand Rapids expands community violence prevention as city reports mixed crime trends

Rule Changes

Overseeing expansion of violence prevention programs citywide

Grand Rapids is doubling down on a public health approach to violence as its crime picture splits. City Manager Mark Washington reported Sept. 22 that property crimes fell 3% and car thefts slipped 2.7% in fiscal 2026, while crimes against people rose.

Updated Sep 23

Notable Quotes

"We know the pain of gun violence doesn't end with a single incident — it echoes through families, friends, and entire neighborhoods for years." — Latesha Lipscomb, city announcement

from Grand Rapids seeks artist for gun violence memorial sculpture · Updated Oct 9

"We as a collective have worked so hard over the course of the year to reduce violence in the community and provide real opportunities for our residents to see themselves differently." — Latesha Lipscomb

from Grand Rapids expands community violence prevention as city reports mixed crime trends · Updated Sep 23