A few years ago, I spent a day riding with the Troy Police Department. I have been thinking about that day again as Troy has debated how to respond to people experiencing homelessness.
The police department has been at the center of that discussion. Department leaders have asked City Council for an ordinance to address the issue. At the same time, residents have praised officers for the way they work with people experiencing homelessness. Those views are not necessarily in conflict. They do, however, point to something we ask of police officers every day: respond with compassion, recognize when someone needs help, and act when a situation becomes dangerous.
I saw a version of that work firsthand. It did not involve homelessness.
