Homeless Jesus statue being mistaken for real person in Hamilton

Paramedics in Hamilton are getting a lot of calls, in this recent blast of wintry weather,about a homeless person sleeping on a bench.

Only, it's not a person.It's Homeless Jesus,abronze sculpture of Jesus wrapped in a blanket and sleeping on a park bench.

Hamilton Paramedic Service operations supervisor Edward Harris says they've responded to several emergency calls after officials issued a plea for citizens to alert the authorities when they see people out in the cold.

Harris says paramedics are hearing from concerned citizens who have mistaken Homeless Jesusfor a homeless person.

• Homeless Jesuscoming to Hamilton and Kitchener

All emergency calls are taken seriously, Harris adds, and so crews have been sent to the location outside a church, which is located in an area of Hamilton with a high homeless population.

The sculpture was created by St. Jacobsartist Timothy Schmalz, and copies are in place in cities including Grand Haven, Mich., Phoenix, Washington, Chicago, and Dublin, Ireland.

The Hamilton Paramedic Service on Wednesday tweeted "Thanks to those who reported someone (lying) out in the cold, thankfully it's the 'Homeless Jesus' statue."

"It is heartwarming to see the public's concern for the well-being of those in need," Harris said in an email.

"We put out the tweet to educate the public on the statue, its location and to provide additional information on local shelter services."