Isabella Martin
Division Street Parking Garage, pictured on Oct. 11.People of all ages come to downtown East Lansing to enjoy good eats, boutiques and even a new comfortable public space outside the Division Street parking garage. However, the new space, part of the Lansing Placemaker project, has been the target of theft and vandalism.
East Lansing area missionary Breelle Daniels said it’s disappointing that people would damage public areas meant for community use.
“It’s such a cool downtown area. It’s sad that people would want to take that away from the rest of the community,” Daniels said.
On Sept. 29 synthetic turf and a chair were stolen from the garage on the north side of Division Street, according to the East Lansing Police Department.
East Lansing Mayor Jessy Gregg said East Lansing in the daytime is vastly different from the nighttime.
Gregg said, “People just can’t conceive of East Lansing from noon to 4 o’clock where families come down and grab tacos with their kids, being the same East Lansing that you see at 3 o’clock in the morning….”
To ensure the safety of the community and deter theft, the City of East Lansing has installed security cameras near the placemaking project, specifically outside of the Division Street Parking Garage. The turf and chair are back since the city stated no further action would be taken if they were returned.
Deputy Police Chief Steve Gonzalez said “We are urging community members to function as extra eyes and ears so they may report thefts/vandalism as it occurs if they witness an event occurring.This will allow officers to intervene when the incident is taking place as opposed to solely being reactive after the fact.”