EAST PEORIA, Ill. – Addressing homelessness, one park at a time.
That’s essentially what the Fon Du Lac Park District is doing.
Especially as the winter gets closer, district police help homeless they see on patrol get food, warmth, clothing, and any medical treatment they may need.
It’s something the department has done for years throughout the park district’s 33 parks, as well as the 50 miles of areas around the Illinois River in four counties they cover.
“We see homeless people on a daily basis, every morning every evening,” said Fon du Lac Park District Police Chief Michael Johnson, to 25 News. “I truly believe our job is to protect and serve the community. Whether you’re rich or poor you still deserve the same type of service,” said Johnson.
Deputy Police Chief Chance Barlow tells 25 News he patrols the district’s parks at least twice a day, and if he encounters someone who’s homeless, they’ll get a backpack with some food and toiletries along with whatever help they need.
Department officials say there’s also a monthly food pantry.
“We…know that the shelters are full. We know that there’s limited resources for agencies available to help the homeless,” said Barlow. “For us, we hope that they have a place to go. But if they don’t and we come across them especially when it’s below freezing, it’s our job to make sure that they’re taken care of,” said Barlow.
Department officials say there’s also a monthly food pantry.
Johnson says the approach — especially as winter approaches — is to treat the homeless like they’re humans.
