EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Business owners in East Lansing say there’s a growing homelessness problem in the downtown area, leading many to voice their concerns ahead of Thursday's Downtown Management Board meeting.

They want the city council to create new laws that would prohibit loitering and camping in the downtown area.

Rudy Richmond, Assistant General Manager of Jolly Pumpkin and Mash, says the homelessness situation has intensified and has even impacted his business.

"One of them threw something at one of my staff,” said Richmond. “I had to close down the patio that day, and they're always haggling our customers, and smoking, things that families shouldn't be around, and especially children."

Richmond says he’s even had to trespass a homeless resident before, but says the probl

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