Public forum to focus on homeless interaction
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) – Homeless advocates say there are close to 1,000 people at any given time without a place to call home in Tippecanoe County.
Advocates said that can sometimes lead business owners and customers to face panhandling, and some people living in the streets near their storefronts.
Police and city leaders want to help teach the community how to handle what can sometimes be difficult interactions with the homeless. A forum called Compassion with Firmness is scheduled for later this month to show residents how to respectfully deal with the chronically homeless or someone asking you for money.
Homeless and Community Outreach director Adam Murphy said it all comes down to empathy.
“It’s not illegal to be homeless. So folks that don’t have a place to stay, that’s their situation and condition,” Murphy said. “We’re all compassionate. We all want to see a good outcome for those folks.”
The Compassion with Firmness forum is Wednesday, April 27 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Lafayette City Hall.
The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. People are asked to reserve a seat through the Lafayette Police Department Website. If you are interested in joining the forum, click here to save your seat.