Kalamazoo Police Aim to Break Cycle of Chronic Homelessness

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Sgt. Fidel Mireles of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety has taken over leadership of the Community Service Team (CST), which is tasked with reaching out to and assisting homeless individuals in the city. The CST works with community partners to provide housing, mental health support, and other resources, though Mireles notes that one of the biggest challenges is when people refuse help. The team uses data to identify patterns and intervene before situations escalate, and Mireles stresses the importance of repeated contacts to build trust and encourage people to take that first step towards getting off the streets.

Why it matters

Chronic homelessness is a persistent issue in many communities, with individuals often cycling in and out of unstable living situations and sometimes getting caught up in the criminal justice system. Kalamazoo's approach of embedding a dedicated outreach team within the police department aims to break this cycle by proactively connecting people with the support they need before problems worsen.

The details

Sgt. Fidel Mireles leads the Community Service Team (CST), which is tasked with working directly with homeless individuals in Kalamazoo. The CST collaborates with local organizations like Housing Resources Inc. and Integrated Services of Kalamazoo to provide housing, mental health services, and other resources. They also offer city-funded bus tickets out of town for those with nowhere else to go. Mireles stresses the importance of repeated contacts to build trust, and the team uses data to identify patterns and intervene before situations escalate. While some people refuse help, Mireles remains hopeful and cites examples of success, such as helping a mother and her children find emergency housing after a fire.

• Sgt. Fidel Mireles took over leadership of the CST in December 2025 after Sgt. Amil Alwan retired.
• Mireles recently spoke to a woman living in a tent who was asking for money on the side of the road.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Community Service Team will continue to work with community partners and homeless individuals, with Sgt. Mireles hosting monthly meetings to identify and address any bureaucratic hurdles that may be discouraging people from seeking help.