TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The Terre Haute Police Department announced a new initiative to address reports of homeless encampments in the city.
Public Information Officer Lt. Justin Sears said the department receives reports of encampments on both public and private property. He said members of the department’s upper-level leadership, along with its social workers and code enforcement will visit those areas. He further explained the goal of this initiative.
“We respond to reports of the community,” said Lt. Sears. “We’re not looking to arrest people for sleeping in different areas. We, again, want to take the compassionate approach and provide resources, not to arrest. That doesn’t do us any good. That doesn’t do the courts any good. It doesn’t get to the root of the problem, and that’s what we want to do. We want to provide resources to those who want help.”
He added that another goal of the initiative is to work with property owners to facilitate cleanup efforts when appropriate.
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