Pastor: Detroit Police Enforcing Ordinance Which Prohibits Feeding Homeless
DETROIT (WWJ) - Some local churches are running into roadblocks trying to feed the homeless -- in the area where the new Red Wings arena will be built.
Rev. Stancy Adams with the interfaith organization, MOSES says several church missionary groups have been stopped by Detroit Police who are now enforcing a city ordinance reports WWJ's Stephanie Davis.
"It became an issue for me because they need to be fed," said Adams. "And I know that there is a mission down there ... and my other concern was that many of the homeless are mentally ill and not able to facilitate going into a place."
There is a city of Detroit ordinance on the books that officers are now enforcing.
"So we wanted to do something that would allow them to eat, allow them to be fed, and we researched ... the police were doing their job and so we are not pointing fingers at anyone - just saying 'what do we do' we need to fix this," said Adams.
"However, I understand during our investigation that the ordinate itself has been around for several years ... either no one was enforcing it or ... they were able to get away with it."
Rev. Adams says the mayor's office is promising to make sure they can continue to feed the homeless in that area.
The area is to be redeveloped to include new housing, retail and restaurants.
