Looking under bridges and in wooded areas, about 75 people helped count Renton’s homeless people last night for King County’s annual One Night Count.

“It provides a snapshot at that time about the homeless on the street,” said Karen Bergsvik, Renton’s Human Services manager.

All week jurisdictions throughout the nation were counting homeless as a requirement for federal money.

The team left around 2 a.m., when most homeless are asleep.

“You go out at night after the bars are closed,” Bergsvik said. “They don’t want the homeless to know necessarily when they go out.”

The volunteers observe in groups of four or five from a distance. They don’t walk through the camps, she said.

“That’s their home and their sanctuary, and we’re respectful of that,” she said.

This is the fourth year Renton has participated in the count, she said.

Volunteers return to the same areas, so the city can see where populations grow and shrink each year.

Volunteers will discuss what they saw at a meeting at 4 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Renton City Council Chambers, 1055 S. Grady Way.

Check RentonReporter.com for a story on the numbers.