Grand Rapids police are doing a sweep of the downtown area in an attempt to locate homeless people in need of shelter Monday during the ice storm.
Officers did not find anyone outside during a 2 p.m. sweep of Heartside, which Capt. Matt Ostapowicz said he took as a good sign because community officers are familiar with common hiding spots. Officers went out for another sweep at 3:15 p.m. and will continue the effort into the evening.
Police plan to transport people to homeless shelters if they agree to it.
"If we find people, we can't make them go anywhere. All we can do is try to help them and encourage them," Ostapowicz said. "Sometimes they don't want to be found."
The most dangerous portion of Monday's winter storm will move into Lower Michigan during the afternoon and evening hours, according to MLive meteorologist Mark Torregrossa. Heavy freezing rain and sleet are expected. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids warned that ice accumulations of a quarter to a half-inch, combined with 40 to 50 mph wind gusts, may lead to widespread power outages in West Michigan.
"I walked out on Monroe Center and decided we better go try to help some folks that need a place to stay," Ostapowicz said. "The wind is nasty."
Some Grand Rapids homeless shelters relax their entry policies during inclement weather and low temperatures to offer shelter to people who have been banned in the past.
Police have also taken calls from citizens reporting that individuals looked cold while waiting to catch a bus. Ostapowicz said officers are checking out all the areas they're called to.
"We'll assist them any way we can," he said.
Citizens who spot someone who may be in need of shelter are asked to call police at 616-456-3400.
www.mlive.com
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