Residents urge improved school-zone safety and demand transparency in police investigations
April 07, 2026 | Battle Creek City, Calhoun County, Michigan
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Multiple residents used the commission’s public-comment periods on April 7 to press the city on safety and transparency.
School-zone and traffic safety: Gloria Zakis told the commission she has repeatedly requested a traffic signal at Territorial and Vista and said engineering staff confirmed the location needs a light because drivers have nearly struck children crossing at school times. Zakis said engineers' temporary adjustments were insufficient and asked the commission to install a full signal. Reese Atkins noted that there are two schools near 20th Street and asked the city to add school-zone signage because drivers do not always notice the existing blinking speed indicators.
Police accountability and retaliation allegations: Adam Smith (publisher of a local website) alleged confusion about which agency is investigating allegations involving a former police officer named Chris Dupont and said tenants and residents have complained about the individual's conduct. Smith also alleged that an HR employee had been used to discipline employees for sharing critical reporting about the matter and said the pattern undermines public trust. Smith called for transparency and consistent enforcement of the law. The meeting record shows no formal response or change in investigative authority during the session.
Other public concerns: John Kenneth urged vigilance on flood-control infrastructure and noted the Army Corps finished a flood-control channel in 1961; Barry Wayne Adams returned later to raise legal questions about a separate battery-plant rezoning matter; and Steve Cotch urged greater in-person availability of city managers and police leadership following remote-work changes since the pandemic.
What the commission said: Commissioners acknowledged the traffic-safety concerns and discussed sirens and emergency-alert upgrades in separate commission comments; there was no formal direction recorded on the Dupont-related investigative allegations at the meeting.
School-zone and traffic safety: Gloria Zakis told the commission she has repeatedly requested a traffic signal at Territorial and Vista and said engineering staff confirmed the location needs a light because drivers have nearly struck children crossing at school times. Zakis said engineers' temporary adjustments were insufficient and asked the commission to install a full signal. Reese Atkins noted that there are two schools near 20th Street and asked the city to add school-zone signage because drivers do not always notice the existing blinking speed indicators.
Police accountability and retaliation allegations: Adam Smith (publisher of a local website) alleged confusion about which agency is investigating allegations involving a former police officer named Chris Dupont and said tenants and residents have complained about the individual's conduct. Smith also alleged that an HR employee had been used to discipline employees for sharing critical reporting about the matter and said the pattern undermines public trust. Smith called for transparency and consistent enforcement of the law. The meeting record shows no formal response or change in investigative authority during the session.
Other public concerns: John Kenneth urged vigilance on flood-control infrastructure and noted the Army Corps finished a flood-control channel in 1961; Barry Wayne Adams returned later to raise legal questions about a separate battery-plant rezoning matter; and Steve Cotch urged greater in-person availability of city managers and police leadership following remote-work changes since the pandemic.
What the commission said: Commissioners acknowledged the traffic-safety concerns and discussed sirens and emergency-alert upgrades in separate commission comments; there was no formal direction recorded on the Dupont-related investigative allegations at the meeting.
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