November 28th, 2020

On November 28, 2020, at about 0303 hours, an officer was in the area of 7000 W. Grandridge Blvd. conducting extra patrol due to reports of people camping out in the area during the hours of darkness. The officer contacted a male who was sleeping on a piece of plywood and identified him by his Texas Driver’s License. He was sleeping in the field on the northeast corner of the property. It should be noted it was 37 degrees outside. He advised that he moved here from Texas recently to be with his girlfriend, however her parents will not let him live with her. He advised that just this last week, he got a job at the Columbia Center Mall as a custodian. He was wearing a “Simon Mall” shirt and showed me a picture of his work schedule. He stated that due to him starting so late in the month, his employer advised his first paycheck will be 12/21/20. He advised that he is planning to get an apartment at this time. He advised that he has heard of the Union Gospel Mission; however, he does not have a vehicle and would be unable to be transported back to the location as he gets off work at 2300 hours and the bus routes are closed at that time. This has forced him to stay in the field where he can walk to work. He advised the next time he worked was later today (11/28/20) at 1500 hours. He advised he would be interested in resources for housing for the time being, in which I provided him multiple numbers for homeless outreach workers. The Kennewick Police Community Care fund was utilized to provide him a room (326) at the Super 8 Hotel (626 N. Columbia Center Blvd) through Tuesday (12/01/20). This hotel is within walking distance of his work. This will also give him the opportunity / time to get into contact with community resources that were provided to him for further assistance.