Office of Oversight and Public Accountability - Grand Rapids

09/09/2026

Our office recently launched a new online portal that lets residents submit complaints, compliments, appeals, expungement assistance requests, Community Informed Training proposals, and Know Your Rights workshop requests—all through one simple intake.

📱Recording videos is your legal right and often helpful, but our ability to truly impact change and influence outcomes depends on residents actively using this new grievance process.

🌐The portal, built in partnership with Sivil, replaces paper forms and streamlines how our community engages with oversight and accountability services Sivil is a digital forms and workflow platform U.S. cities and government agencies use to replace paper across oversight, permits, public records and other resident-facing services.

🔗You can access it anytime at

Public Safety Software

09/04/2026

📣🎨Local artists needed!
The City of Grand Rapids is looking for local artists for the Gun Violence Memorial Art Installation Project. The memorial will be will be a three-dimensional art piece focused on honoring the lives impacted by gun violence and and creating a meaningful space for remembrance, reflection, and healing.

📅The deadline to submit the Request for Proposal (RFP) is September 21, 2026 at 11:59pm. Any and all local artists and artist teams are encouraged to apply. The winning proposal will be awarded a contract amount of $20,000.

💻There will be an optional webinar for interested artist interested artists. The webinar will be on Tuesday, September 8th at 12:00-1:00pm. Signs up for the webinar are available at this link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/NtEHZYJdQy.

🔗For more information on the RFP and how artists may submit proposals, visit: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/city-news/posts/city-of-grand-rapids-issues-rfp-for-gun-violence-memorial-art-installation/.

Most city offices and the yard waste drop off site are closed Monday, Sep 7th for the Labor Day holiday. Refuse, recycle, and yard waste services are delayed one day that week. Splash Pads are open their usual hours that day.

09/02/2026

Last week, our office had the privilege to share a year‑in‑review of the SAFE Taskforce and highlight the progress made through collaboration between the City and community partners across Grand Rapids. From investing in resident‑led violence prevention projects to expanding community engagement and connecting youth and families with vital resources, SAFE continues to support innovative efforts that strengthen safety and foster more connected neighborhoods. This year’s accomplishments reflect what is possible when residents, community organizations, and City partners work together with a shared commitment to violence prevention.

The OPA Office remains in full support of the SAFE Taskforce and is enthusiastic about what we will continue to accomplish together in the upcoming fiscal year. During the presentation, the SAFE Taskforce liaison provided the formal update to the Commission, and two of our community partners offered meaningful reflections from the podium about the impact of their programs. It was especially powerful to hear from one of the young mentees who has benefited greatly from his involvement in the Let’s Talk King Pitch Partner Violence Reduction Program.

We look forward to building on this momentum and deepening our partnership in the year ahead.

09/02/2026

💡The City of Grand Rapids is launching the Public Safety Trust Fund Community Grants Program. This program which will make $200,000 in grant funding available to support eligible community-based organizations and groups serving Grand Rapids residents. The program will provide grants with a minimum award amount of $10,000.

🔗For more information and to apply, visit our website: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/departments/oversight-public-accountability/public-safety-trust-fund-community-grants-program/.

Application submission will be available from October 1, 2026 - November 1, 2026.

08/31/2026

Here are some recent highlights from the City of Grand Rapids Office of Equity and Engagement and from our office.

💡Our team was a community resource at the Gerald R.Ford Job Corps Center Annual Community Open House. The event was a success! We enjoyed connecting with other community resources and seeing the live trade exhibits of some of their students. Thank you to the Gerald R.Ford Job Corps team for hosting us and for all their hard work and dedication to empowering young adults and preparing them for the workforce.

📈OPA's 5th Annual Expungement Fair was amazing. The event deserves its own post, so stay tuned for a later post where we will share photos and highlights.

08/19/2026

Here are OPA's highlights from last week:

🎒The City of Grand Rapids’ Violence Prevention & Intervention Office partnered with Cure Violence staff from the Grand Rapids Urban League and volunteers from multiple City departments, to form a dedicated violence prevention team for the Storehouse of Community Resources Annual Big Backpack Build at DeVos Place. Together, the team helped assemble 15,000 backpacks for students across Kent County, including 325 backpacks that will be distributed throughout Grand Rapids—some containing additional violence prevention items such as keychain safety whistles and flashlights to help keep young people safe. Their compassion, commitment, and care for youth were present in every backpack prepared, reflecting a strong community effort to support students as they begin the school year. The City values its ongoing collaboration with Cure Violence and remains deeply grateful for the shared dedication to curbing violence and building safer, stronger futures for all.

🌍Our office was proud to sponsor the Glimpse of Africa Festival from this weekend. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together, celebrate the richness of African cultures, and support a festival that brings people and communities closer. We’re committed to building diverse, inclusive communities where every culture is valued and celebrated. Thank you to the Glimpse of Africa who made this event possible.

08/18/2026

🚨 4 DAYS TO GO! 🚨

The countdown is ON! ⏰ This Saturday, August 22, is the Clean Slate GR Expungement Fair!

If something from your past has been standing in the way of employment, housing, or simply moving forward, this event may be an opportunity to take the next step toward a clean slate and a fresh start. 🙌🏾

We’re getting everything ready and looking forward to serving our community this Saturday!

📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
⚖️ Clean Slate GR Expungement Fair

🗣️ Help us spread the word! Share this post with your family, friends, and community. You never know who may need this opportunity.

4 DAYS. ONE OPPORTUNITY. A FRESH START. 💙

08/12/2026

National Night Out was a wonderful opportunity to connect with our neighbors and celebrate the relationships that help make Grand Rapids a safer place for everyone. OPA was proud to join our fellow City departments in engaging with residents to raise awareness about local resources. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello and learn more about our work, you helped make the evening a success! We look forward to continuing these conversations and working together to build a stronger, more connected community.

08/10/2026

⏳ THE COUNTDOWN IS ON — ONLY 12 DAYS TO GO! ⏳

Grand Rapids, mark your calendars! The 5th Annual Clean Slate GR Expungement Fair is happening Saturday, August 22nd! 🎉

This event is about more than clearing a record, it’s about removing barriers, creating opportunities, and giving people a chance to move forward. If you or someone you know may be eligible for expungement, we encourage you to register and join us.

📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 MLK Community Center
900 Fuller Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

🙋🏽‍♂️ Participants and volunteers are still needed!
Scan the appropriate QR code on the flyer to register.

📞 Questions? Call (616) 456-4672
📧 [email protected]

Help us spread the word by SHARING this post with your family, friends, and community! 💙

12 DAYS. ONE BIG OPPORTUNITY. A FRESH START. 🙌🏽

08/06/2026

🚨 Ready for a Fresh Start? 🚨

The Office of Oversight & Public Accountability (OPA) is proud to host our 5th Annual Expungement Fair – Clean Slate GR!

If you or someone you know has a criminal record that may be eligible for expungement, this is an opportunity to receive FREE guidance and resources to help clear your record and open doors to employment, housing, education, and more.

📅 Saturday, August 22
🕥 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 MLK Community Center
900 Fuller Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

✔️ Meet with legal professionals and community partners.
✔️ Learn about the expungement process.
✔️ Get connected to valuable resources and support.

Scan the QR code on the flyer to register as a participant or volunteer!

📞 Questions? Call (616) 456-4672
📧 Email: [email protected]

Please help us spread the word by liking, sharing, and tagging someone who could benefit from this opportunity. Together, we can help create more second chances and stronger communities.