Homelessness concerns residents on Milwaukee's east side

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It's difficult to see at first when you drive over the North Ave. Bridge. But underneath and in the areas along the Milwaukee River, there are blankets, beds and personal items scattered. They are signs of the homelessness in Milwaukee.

Now, law enforcement and neighbors living on Milwaukee's east side fear the displaced population here is growing.

The owner of a nearby condominium, who did not want to be identified, was concerned about her building being broken into this summer. She believes it may have been the result of the increasing homeless population. She says she's seen an increase in burglaries and thefts compared to last year -- and is concerned the problem will get worse. She worries her home value will drop and police aren't doing enough.

However, Milwaukee police have a special unit to address these kinds of concerns. FOX6 News walked around with Officer James Knapinski. He is assigned to The Homeless Outreach Patrol.

Knapinski doesn't see his job as a means to hand out tickets for loitering or littering. After all, he says what good is a ticket if the person can't pay it. Instead, Knapinski will give seven days notice to leave in an effort to move a homeless person towards social programs or local shelters.

"Some of them don't know the resources or how to get out of the rut they're in," said Knapinski.

What Officer Knapinski has discovered after helping hundreds of the city's displaced is not a criminal element -- but rather elements of neglect and abuse.

"The main problem is alcohol and mental illness," said Knapinski.

The Milwaukee Police Department says compared to 2012, home break-ins around some East Side bridges have increased 13 percent. But thefts have declined 33 percent. It's unclear if homeless are responsible for a portion of those percentages.

In the end, Milwaukee police say they are working with organizations like The Milwaukee Rescue Mission and The Guest House to help curb homelessness.