MI- Calls for reform in treatment of homeless echo at candlelight vigil in Grand Rapids for sex offender Thomas Pauli

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3-21-2009 Michigan:

GRAND RAPIDS — That Thomas Pauli reached a point where had to "drop to his hands and knees and await death" on a frigid night should be a call to action for the community, said the Rev. Charlotte Ellison.

The Heartside Ministries pastor joined about 100 people in a candlelight vigil and memorial service Saturday for Pauli, 52, who froze to death Jan. 26. He had been denied admission to area shelters.

Pauli was a convicted sex offender, and it was illegal for missions operating close to schools to allow him to stay overnight.

The march, from Degage Ministries, 144 S. Division Ave., to the spot on the 600 block where Pauli died, was intended to be both a memorial service and a quiet way to urge lawmakers to rethink how such homeless people are treated, said the Rev. Jay Schrimpf of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, one of the organizers.

"We want to speak to the injustice of a law that would allow one of God's creatures to freeze to death," he said. "It's appalling that such a thing could happen."


In her homily during the short prayer service, Ellison said Pauli committed an act that was "rightly condemned," but also is one of the few deemed "beyond redemption."

She said he reached a point where he would rather die than seek shelter at hospital, jail, or even one of the unlocked vehicles in the lot where he was found.

Ellison said Pauli's death should be a signal to the community that it needs to either change the law or create a safe, alternate site for homeless people with similar backgrounds to stay.

Carrying candles and signs reading "Law over life" and "Out in the cold no more," marchers represented about a dozen churches and ministries and included homeless people who considered Pauli a friend.

"The man did his time, yet he kept being punished for it,' said Kathy Houser, who knew Pauli.

She said the shelters need a better system of finding places for people who can't legally stay overnight near schools. She said some groups will drive people to such shelters, and said Pauli either didn't ask for help that night or staffers weren't aware of what could be done. ..Source.. by Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press



Vigil for Homeless Sex Offender found Frozen to Death


Grand Rapids, MI (WZZM) - Marchers at a Grand Rapids candlelight vigil say even a sex offender should be offered shelter from the cold.

"To think that someone could die alone on the streets of Grand Rapids is such an injustice," says Marge Palmerlee, Executive Director of Degage Ministries. "It's so unneccessary."

Homeless man Thomas Pauli, 52, froze to death in Grand Rapids in January because he couldn't get into either of the downtown shelters.

Twenty years ago Pauli molested a girl under age 13. He served 11 years in prision.

Because the Mel Trotter shelter and the Guiding Light Mission are both within 1,000 feet of a school, the convicted sex offender could not spend the night.

"The law states sex offenders cannot reside within 1,000 feet of a school and we are within 1,000 feet of a school," explains Rev. Ralph Collins of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Unable to find shelter, Pauli walked 6 blocks to an alley next to an auto repair shop.

He was found frozen to death kneeling between 2 cars in a position of prayer.

"For something like this to happen in our city is truely a tragedy," says Mike Hoogeboom of LeGrave Christian Church.

About 100 people carried candles and signs the 6 blocks from the shelters to the alley where Pauli died.

They want people to understand the potentially devastating consequences of the law.

"It's a well intentioned law but nobody intended for something like this to happen," says Hoogeboom.

And they want lawmakers to consider ammendments or options to prevent similar outcomes in the future.

"Get a ruling on what the law really means," says Palmerlee. "It says you can't reside within 1,000 feet of a school, but is staying overnight in a rescue mission residing?"

To avoid another death in the future leaders think shelters should have permission to admit sex offenders for an overnight stay or have a shelter built at least 1000 feet away from schools where anyone could be admitted. ..Source.. by Phil Dawson



Vigil held for Thomas Pauli

Pauli froze to death after he was refused shelter

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Several downtown and Heartside neighborhood congregations, ministries and agencies gathered Saturday night to remember a man who froze to death in late January.

Thomas Pauli was found dead in the 600 block of South Division on January 27. Pauli was homeless and had been turned away from downtown shelters because of his past criminal record.

Temperatures on the 26th and 27th ranged from 2 above to 3 below zero.

The vigil will serve to remember Pauli's life and provide an opportunity to analyze the law that forced Pauli to the streets that January evening.

The event began at Degage Ministries. Participants walked in silence to the site where Pauli's body was found where there was a prayer service. The event continued at Bethlehem Lutheran Church located at 250 Commerce Ave. SW. ..Source.. by Wood TV



Vigil tonight in Grand Rapids to remember homeless man who froze to death

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)- Several congregations, ministries and agencies will come together tonight to hold a candlelight vigil for a homeless man who froze to death after being turned away from several shelters.

Thomas Pauli, 52, was found dead in the 600 block of South Division in Grand Rapids back in January. He had apparently been turned away from homeless shelters because he was a registered sex offender. Temperatures hovered around zero degrees that night.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church Pastor Jay Schrimpf says the vigil will also be used to consider the law which left Pauli out in the cold. Currently state law prohibits sex offenders from staying in homeless shelters.

The vigil will be held at 7:30 tonight at Degage Ministries located at 144 South Division. ..Source.. by Lanetta Williams