TOLEDO, Ohio — The annual weekend-long Tent City event kicked off Friday.
The event, hosted by 1Matters, is also called the "Festival of Compassion," allowing hundreds of unhoused and marginally housed people get assistance with food, clothing, important government documentation, dental, medical, hair cuts and more.
Since hundreds of people, including both volunteers and attendees, are expected for the event, there were questions regarding security and safety.
1Matter board president, Shawn Kellerbauer, said he's been working this event since the early 2000s and said it's all about being smart.
"Do we need to be aware? Absolutely, of your surroundings, what's going on, and if something does happen, we just say, 'Hey, be respectful,' Kellerbauer said. "A lot of times our community polices our community."
Longtime attendee, who goes by D.S., said he enjoys coming to this event and typically comes with his mother. But this year he's coming alone.
"I like people helping out in the community," D.S. said. "When I was growing up, I didn't really have a lot. I raised myself, you know what I mean? So I like people that help the community."
Since Tent City is right next to the Toledo Police Department in downtown Toledo, near the corner of Jackson Street and North Erie Street, safety for them isn't really a question. But D.S. said he can understand how tempers may flare if people have something else going on.
"It's rough for people now these days. You know, it's hard for people these days," D.S. said.
When asked to describe the weekend-long event's atmosphere, Kellerbauer said it's simple.
"Everybody just always has fun. That's the word, fun," Kellerbauer said.
Kellerbauer said if any volunteers feel uneasy, they can ask 1Matter for a shadow. He added that if things get out of hand, they can call 911.
D.S. said tent city can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. However, he said most people are coming just to get the help they need.
For more information on 1Matter and Tent City, click here.