HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, July 11, 2023) – There apparently is a right way and a wrong way to address homelessness.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Grand Rapids City Commission holds the second of two scheduled meetings over proposed city rules changes to address aggressive panhandling, as well as homeless people piling up personal belongings in parks, harassing customers outside of businesses, and other types of related actions. The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and others have been calling on the Calder City for some time to crack down on the problem.
Last month, the governing panel approved on first reading two ordinance amendments pending a public hearing and vote. If approved, the measures would hand out fines and jail terms to violators.
Local advocate Mel Trotter Ministries is offering to have the homeless store their belongings for free weekdays at its Williams Street facility, with the city funding this initiative. However, Gateway Mission Executive Director Jay Riemersma believes that Grand Rapids and other communities are addressing this issue the wrong way.
