This story has been updated to include statement from Traverse City Police Dept. Capt. Adam Gray.
The Traverse City Police Department is stepping up enforcement against smoking, drinking and sleeping in downtown’s Hull Park.
This comes after a series of recent incidents in the park — one in which a sailing coach said he was assaulted, and another in which police arrested a man who allegedly pulled a knife and threatened to cut another man’s throat.
TCPD Officer Matthew Kirkey was at the park today, explaining the new enforcement to a table of homeless individuals.
"This stuff is going to get hammered, and I mean hammered to the point where y'all are going to jail," said Kirkey. "There's no questions asked, and all it's gonna do is hurt you guys."
Along with Officer Kirkey, Police Support Services Worker Brad Neuder also spoke to the group while offering to connect anyone interested in the department's Resilience Program.
That program — which was previously called the Quick Response Team — helps serve vulnerable people experiencing substance use, mental health and homelessness
"We're not telling you that you can't be here. That's not what we're telling you," said Neuder. "[It's] the behaviors of drinking and smoking [that] cannot be down here anymore."
In response to questions from IPR, TCPD Capt. Adam Gray —whose division oversees Hull Park — said that the department stepped up enforcement after listening to the community's concerns and emphasized that increased enforcement does not mean a zero tolerance policy.
"What we're doing is we're taking a middle of the road approach," Gray said. "We are trying to give people the benefit of the doubt. We are trying to give them warnings. For those repeat offenders... we are taking action and taking the appropriate steps."
Gray also said that TCPD — along with their Resilience Program — are trying to address the root issues of homelessness by connecting individuals with community resources.
"The fact of the matter is, regardless of their housing status, everyone is welcome at Hull Park," Gray said. "The thing that's not welcome is criminal behavior, and that's regardless of anyone's housing status."
Earlier this week, Traverse City officials told UpNorthLive they would consider changing ordinances to address prowling and loitering.
