ISHPEMING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Allegations of assault and destruction of property at an Ishpeming motel have community members and police concerned, WZMQ is investigating the claims.
BACKGROUND
The Ishpeming Police Department responded at least 17 times to the Wonderland Motel from February 26 to March 26, 2024. Allegations in the calls include assault, disturbing the peace, drunk and disorderly conduct, property damage, and trespassing. Police reports obtained by 19 News confirm those calls resulted in seven arrests, two for assault. Police say the motel is being used as a homeless shelter by Superior Connections.
2 of the 17 calls police responded to at the Wonderland Motel from February 26 to March 26 2024
WHO IS SUPERIOR CONNECTIONS?
Superior Connections operates transitional and recovery houses throughout the Upper Peninsula. The organization aims to provide a safe place for individuals who are not able to stay at other shelters in the area like Room at the Inn. Superior Connections specializes in helping those in active drug addiction find a path to recovery.
The organization operates numerous recovery and transitional houses across the Upper Peninsula. They also offer workforce development services and programs to help clients receive access to health care and counseling services.
THE WONDERLAND MOTEL
The Wonderland Motel is located at 873 Palms Avenue in Ishpeming. Emily Belinski, the Deputy Director of Superior Connections confirmed they use the motel to house clients. Police reports show the first call at the Wonderland Motel to reference Superior Connections was for an alleged assault on July 27, 2023.
19 News could not get a clear answer when Superior Connections began to use the Wonderland for overnight lodging of clients.
“Can you give me a timeline of the Wonderland Motel? We have been confused as to when did Superior Connections take over or take supervision of that property?” asked 19 News Reporter Scott Minshall.
“We do not have an answer for that prepared,” replied Belinski.
19 News spoke with residents in the surrounding area of the motel. None had any idea who Superior Connections was or that the motel was being used as a shelter. Almost all of them began to notice the increase in disruptive behavior last summer and say it has affected their lives.
“I am very concerned, they are out there at all times of the day, stumbling around, swearing at each other, threatening each other, I am very uncomfortable with my kids riding their bikes and I am even uncomfortable going myself,” remarked a concerned neighbor, whose identity is being kept private.
LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE
19 News reached out to the Ishpeming Police Department about the rise in calls and the effect it has had on the community. Police Chief Chad Radabaugh declined to speak on camera but sent me this statement:
“We are disappointed in Superior Connections for their continued lack of oversight, and for not sufficiently vetting the individuals participating in this program which has had continued negative effects on nearby businesses and residents alike. Our community expects better.”
Superior Connections directly about the concerns raised by law enforcement. Initially, we were told there is no vetting process for people staying at the motel.
“There is no vetting process in place for every person who comes through the Center,” said Ashley Airaudi-Wiegand, who identified herself as the Project Supervisor for the Wonderland Motel.
Three days later in a follow-up interview with Superior Connections, the organization changed its position.
“We have an intake process that very much follows best practices of other organizations,” commented Kim Frost, a Program Supervisor for Superior Connections.
Superior Connections has yet to provide information on what best practices included. Frost says Superior Connections is responsible for their clients at the motel between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
“When they are at the wonderland and the program is in operation then clearly we have staff who are responsible for the people we serve,” said Frost.
Superior Connections says staff members are trained before working at their shelters. However, after repeated requests, they declined to share any specific information about what type of training staff receive.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Following our interviews with Superior Connections, 19 News was sent this statement from Deputy Director Emily Belinski:
“We apologize for any negative effects the program has had on nearby businesses and residents; our wish is to meet the expectations of the community and work with the Ishpeming Police Department to do so. Our organization is taking every measure to improve supervision, including an immediate increase in staffing. We will also provide increased staff training, outreach to neighbors and law enforcement, and new processes to ensure the people served by the program are engaged with recovery.We apologize for any negative effects the program has had on nearby businesses and residents; our wish is to meet the expectations of the community and work with the Ishpeming Police Department to do so. Our organization is taking every measure to improve supervision, including an immediate increase in staffing. We will also provide increased staff training, outreach to neighbors and law enforcement, and new processes to ensure the people served by the program are engaged with recovery.”
Superior Connections has not provided any information to confirm they have taken any of the steps they have promised to.
Five days after we received that statement, a felonious assault occurred at the motel: two people under Superior Connections’ supervision were drinking on the property and got into a fight, resulting in a 30-year-old man being stabbed with a piece of broken glass.
19 News has reached out to Superior Connections to request another interview and additional information on staff training and processes in place at the motel, but we have not received a response.
Earlier this week, 19 News spoke with NorthCare Network, a government-funded agency that is the primary funder for Superior Connections. We presented our findings to them and asked questions about how they keep track of Superior Connections’ spending. As a result of our findings, Superior Connections is currently being audited by NorthCare.
Next week, 19 News will take a closer look at the grant funding received by Superior Connections and how the organization has spent nearly $100,000 in the last six months.
