Story perspectives
Lansing Police Launch River Trail Patrols After Five Deaths
By Drooid · · How we work
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Story summary
- Lansing Police Chief Robert Backus announced patrols on the Lansing River Trail after five deaths.
- Five homeless men aged 22 to 70 died between Oct 14 2025 and Sep 1 2026 on the trail.
- Edward Joseph Smith, 23, was arrested Sep 3 2026 and charged with open murder for stabbing Daniel Lusk.
- Michigan State University installed LED lighting, emergency phones with cameras, and routine bicycle patrols near the trail.