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Residents press Cranston council for homelessness plan; police describe outreach and non‑enforcement approach
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Summary
Several residents urged Cranston to create a transparent homelessness policy and shelter plan as winter temperatures drop; the Cranston police captain described a clinical outreach approach and said officers have not arrested anyone solely for homelessness.
Speakers at the Dec. 15 Cranston City Council meeting urged the city to adopt a clear, humane policy for people experiencing homelessness and to publish accessible information about shelter availability and services.
Sue Kelly (199 Jordan Ave) told the council “people will die” if the city lacks shelter beds and transparent data about who is unhoused and what services exist. Harrison Tuttle (131 Belmont Rd), who operates two warming centers, said his teams are housing people in city‑area sites, providing meals and transportation, and called on the council to convene municipal partners quickly: “If people die in this city as a result of the lack of infrastructure and the lack of planning, I'm gonna be back here, but I'm gonna be back here with 75 people.”
Responding from the Cranston Police Department, Captain Justin Dutra described the department’s outreach policy. Dutra said police respond to encampments with clinicians embedded from mental‑health partners and offer housing, medical and benefit referrals. “Not one time in the three years have we trespassed [or] charged any homeless person with trespassing … based on that,” Dutra said, adding that many encampments fluctuate and occupants often decline services or relocate.
Council members acknowledged the urgency expressed by residents and discussed the limits of council authority (for example, the council cannot directly order inspections or compel police attendance without administration involvement). Several members said they would pursue planning, partnership and follow‑up steps, including additional coordination with social‑service providers and an assessment of shelter capacity.
The meeting record shows multiple community groups and individuals offering on‑the‑ground services and urging the city to publish clearer information about beds, warming‑center locations and how residents can access help. The council did not adopt a new policy at the meeting but agreed to continue the conversation and explore next steps.
