Grand Rapids, MI — A local activist known online as “Lucas in GR” delivered a fiery speech during the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting Tuesday, February 24, 2026, accusing the Grand Rapids Police Department of racial bias and directly challenging Mayor David LaGrand over policing policies in the city.
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Lucas used the public comment portion of the meeting to describe what he called a personal “experiment” involving expired license plate tabs on his vehicle, claiming he intentionally drove around for a year without renewing them to see whether he would be stopped by police.
“These are mine from a year ago when I decided to start an experiment to see how long I, as a white dude, could drive around without them and not get pulled over,” Lucas said during the meeting. “Working all the way across town five days a week, driving through four or five different police jurisdictions, I was never stopped or questioned once.”
He argued the experience showed what he believes is unequal enforcement of the law, telling city leaders that claims of racial bias in policing should not be dismissed.
Lucas also referenced recent police use-of-force incidents while criticizing Grand Rapids police policies, specifically raising concerns about the department’s K-9 deployment practices.
“As a white guy from the South, when I see a black man running away having dogs sicked on them, it’s reminiscent of the plantations of the old South,” he said, calling for significant changes to the department’s police dog policies.
The comments come amid growing public debate following the February 19, 2026 police shooting of 25-year-old Da’Quain Johnson in Grand Rapids.
Johnson was shot and killed by police after officers encountered him while he was riding a bicycle and reportedly armed with a firearm. According to initial accounts, a police K-9 was deployed and had hold of Johnson when two officers stood over him. One officer reportedly stated he saw a gun, prompting the second officer to fire.
Video of the incident, which has been published by New Media Detroit and Metro Detroit Crime Report, has already drawn significant public attention, surpassing 100,000 views online as community members debate whether the shooting was justified.
During his remarks, Lucas argued that police often exaggerate the dangers they face, criticizing what he described as a culture within policing that resists reform.
He also directly addressed Mayor LaGrand, accusing him of backing away from campaign promises related to police reform.
“Mayor, you urge people to have ideas rather than just complaining,” Lucas said during the meeting. “But ideas are always rebuked by cops as a coddled class hiding behind endless excuses.”
Lucas concluded his remarks by reminding the mayor of promises he said were made during the mayoral campaign about addressing policing issues and reducing arrests for minor offenses.
The Grand Rapids Police Department has not issued a formal response to the remarks made during the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Michigan State Police continue to investigate the February 19 shooting of Johnson, which will ultimately be reviewed by prosecutors to determine whether the officer’s use of deadly force was legally justified.
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