In September of 2019, the Janesville Police Department created a Homeless Outreach Team after experiencing a rise in anti-social behavior by some of our homeless residents.

The team discovered that making arrests was not an effective response but rather taking a leadership role in partnering with stakeholders to problem solve and provide outreach to the persons experiencing homelessness in the community.

In 2025, the City of Janesville made changes to the ordinance for sleeping in a parked vehicle. After being able to sleep in a vehicle at the Hedberg Public Library, the location was moved to the City of Janesville Municipal Parking Lot. People experiencing homelessness can sleep in their vehicles from 10pm-7am each day in the lot, but must leave by 7am.

The team provides numerous hours of outreach in the community, contacting people experiencing homelessness and providing them resources. Team members also work with several community-based programs within the City of Janesville to help get homeless people off the streets and into a house or apartment.

TEAM MEMBERS:

Sgt. Shawn D. Welte

Officer Brett Bunnell

Officer Karl Mikkelsen

Officer Paul Schellingburger

Officer Chase Ziegelbauer