Grand Rapids’ Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) states unhoused community members are at increased risk for danger, especially overnight when sleeping outside and alone.
The group issued an advisory message after a body was found on the 700 block of Bridge Street last week. The victim was identified as 46-year-old Santino “Taco” Ysasi. The case has been ruled a homicide.
““People in the unhoused community are at increased risk, especially overnight while sleeping outdoors alone,” said Sgt. John Wittkowski, GRPD’s lead on HOT. “We have been working with our community partners, including area shelters and the network of resource providers, to get the word out to encourage our unsheltered community to take safety precautions.”
HOT is working with Grand Rapids Police Department’s Major Case Team to develop additional leads – and to spread awareness.
“We understand that some people don’t want to go to a shelter and in that case, we are encouraging them to use the buddy system to keep tabs on each other. It’s an old saying, but it’s true – there is safety in numbers,” Wittkowski said.
The investigation by the Major Case Team into the October 19 murder is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact GRPD detectives at (616) 456-3380 or tips can be sent anonymously through Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345/www.silentobserver.org.
