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Michigan State Police trooper collecting blankets, coats for homeless

Posted at 3:45 PM, Oct 24, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-24 16:47:31-04

Now that the nights are starting to get much colder, a Michigan State Trooper wants to help the homeless. Imagine being outside without a coat in 30 or 40 degree weather.

That's what the homeless deal with it as the temperature drop, but Trooper Eric Brooks is trying to help them stay warm.

He said, "Just patrolling downtown in Detroit, you see a lot of homeless people out here. It's starting to get cold."

Trooper Brooks has been with the Michigan State Police for three years. He's seen the hardships homeless men and women go through when temperatures drop.

"There was a homeless person in a T-shirt and shorts. There's no reason anyone needs to be outside here in Michigan weather in T-shirt and shorts," he said.

Brooks posted on his personal Facebook page, asking friends and family to donate new or gently used blankets, coats and hats.

"We can keep it in our patrol cars that way we can hand them out as we see fit."

What's started off as a simple request has grown into something much bigger as the word spread.

"I have had a great response from troopers. All the people on my squad are helping out. Got a great response with people at the post," Brooks added.

He has received several blankets and hats. Brooks plans on keeping the items in all the patrol cars at the Metro South Post ready to hand out.

"We could always use more. here's a lot of homeless people here in the Metro Detroit area. So my goal is to get as many as I can," he explained. "If they aren't able to get in a shelter, this way they can at least have something to keep them warm."

Brooks plans on handing blankets starting Monday night.

If you want to donate blankets or hats, you can drop it off at:

Metro South Post
12111 Telegraph Rd
Taylor, MI 48180