KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo City Commissioners heard three hours of public complaints at their meeting last night about police efforts to clear local homeless camps.
Several residents are asking the city to drop charges against arrested protesters. They alleged police misconduct, saying the homeless now have no options, and accuse the city of treating them inhumanely for years. Some protestors are facing felony counts for allegedly assaulting officers.
Commissioner Eric Cunningham says he has seen police videos and says while they may be open to interpretation, he saw no problems.
“They went in and they tried to provide a service as best as they could. The way it looked was very firm, fair, and consistent. I didn’t see anything egregious from our public safety.”
City Manager Jim Ritsema defended their actions saying they had to move on the camps because the weather was turning cold and the encampments had become unsafe and dangerous with police calls to the camps doubling in recent weeks.
“Conditions presented significant risks for health and safety to those living at the encampment, those who visit the site to provide support and services, as well as those working and living nearby.”
Ritsema says they had 12 different agencies looking for alternative housing for those who were displaced and there is still room for those who need shelter. He says anyone with specific allegations about the conduct of officers can make a complaint and it will be investigated.
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