Police respond to multiple reports of people seeking shelter in Park City

On Jan. 13 Park City Police Department officers responded to a series of public reports suggesting individuals were staying temporarily in public or private spaces across town. The calls, logged between early morning and evening hours, involved suspected trespassing, suspicious activity and citizen-assist entries rather than criminal complaints.

One recurring complaint involved two men repeatedly showing up at a lodge on Deer Valley Drive; that incident was classified as suspected trespassing. In a separate call officers were asked to check on two men located in a common area of a building on Park Avenue, a report logged as suspicious. Another report described found belongings on a Main Street property - including a propane canister, alcohol and other cans - which officers recorded as a citizen-assist because the items suggested someone might be living on-site. Police also encountered a person sleeping at the Old Town transit center and asked them to leave in line with transit center regulations.

These entries reflect how local police typically handle occasional calls about people who may be experiencing homelessness or temporarily sheltering in public places. Incidents are triaged based on immediate public-safety risks and property rights: officers may log trespassing when private-property access is at issue, file suspicious-activity reports when the circumstances are unclear, or record citizen-assists and welfare checks when signs point to someone in need of support. The Jan. 13 logs did not indicate arrests or criminal charges tied to these specific entries.

For residents, these calls underscore a few practical realities. First, seeing someone camped in a common area, transit hub or in front of a local business often triggers a municipal response focused on safety and code enforcement rather than broad criminalization. Second, visible belongings such as propane or open containers raise both safety concerns and the prospect of outreach by police or social services to prevent harm. Third, winter conditions increase the stakes for anyone sheltering outdoors; community members and property owners frequently seek clarity about how such situations will be addressed.

The takeaway? If you encounter someone sheltering on private property, or notice belongings that suggest someone is living in a building or public space, report the concern to authorities through the proper channels so officers can assess safety, privacy and welfare needs. Compassion and clear reporting help protect both residents and people in crisis. Our two cents? Keep an eye out for neighbors in need, but use official reporting lines so trained responders can connect people to help while respecting local rules and property rights.