12 degrees outside. Walking the dog, he starts barking . A homeless person is sleeping

[demtenjeep]

in the enclave of our building garage. The person is all covered up except you could see a shoe.

I called the security yo our building only to find out they are no longer our security.

Called 911 because it is supposed to be negative temps tonight.

The spot the person is in, is bad. it is the exit for the garage so someone could drive out and run over the person sleeping.

I told the police I am so scared the person might die tonight and offered 25 bucks to let them sleep in a motel if they wanted. Police says there are several spaces at shelters tonight because of the extreme temps. I so hope they find somewhere.

[woodsprite]

1. I hope he can get the help he needs.

I was reminded that a lot of times people don’t want to go to a shelter because they have to give up what little possessions they have with them.

[panader0]

14. Also, most shelters won't admit people who have been drinking,

a common thing among the homeless.

[Skittles]

2. wouldn't there be fewer spaces in shelters due to the extreme temperatures?

[Orange Free State]

3. They may perhaps temporarily violate Occupancy limits....

....if it is life threateningly cold.

[Skittles]

5. OK that makes sense; thanks

[Sophia4]

13. They may open up extra shelter space in buildings that are not usually shelters.

In other words, emergency shelters.

[matt819]

4. It depends

While homeless people don’t have lots of options, some do couch surf or spend what little money they may have on a cheap motel room. The motel route is most likely at the beginning of the month when prople get SSDI checks. Also, while many shelters have restrictions on capacity, some try to stretch that when it’s really cold. In some communities, churches become emergency winter shelters, sometimes in conjunction with local shelters.

[Skittles]

6. that makes sense too

I just hope they can all find a place to stay

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

7. Where I live (Everett WA)

when the temp hits 34 or lower several places open up as a sleeping shelter (various churches, Salvation Army, high school gyms, even a city hall). Anyone living on the streets probably knows of such things..........however there are always a few people who won't do even that. Whattyagonnado?

[KT2000]

10. a relative is an Everett cop

who works on homeless issues. It is a really good program where they try to reconnect individuals to family, make sure they are wanted back, then the city gives them a ticket back to their relatives. In other cases they try to hook addicted people up to rehab. He is totally committed to the issue and will likely pursue it after retirement, along with the opioid crisis. He is a really good guy.

[montana_hazeleyes]

8. I remember in a recent disaster where if you stayed out you would die,

a homeless help group had the police arrest people who refused to leave on endangerment to self or others charge.

It's not that they wanted to see them arrested, but someone speaking for the group said they were not going stand by and let them basically commit suicide.

I can't remember where this was, there have been so many weather disasters.

[forgotmylogin]

9. Arrest at least gets them out of the cold into a building.

It's not optimal, but see how it might be the only resort.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

11. Bless your heart for trying to help.

Hope the fellow finds a warm place to get rest and a hot meal.

..............

[orleans]

12. thank you for making those calls

i think so many people wouldn't be bothered

i taught my daughter that when you see a problem don't ever assume anyone else is helping or calling for help. it's so easy to call 911 to get help to people or situations that need some intervention. and in all these many years since i have been doing that i've only been told a few times that the police (or the electric company or the gas company or whatever) was aware of it from a previous caller. (and considering the fact that most people live on their phones it always surprises me)

again, thanks for taking the initiative--you probably saved a life tonight.

[demtenjeep]

15. while walking the dog tonight saw the man getting his "spot" ready to sleep tonight

I had an old army pullover from one of my kids on over my shirt. I pulled it off and gave it to him. I told him I was sorry I couldn't do more. He said God Bless and thanked me for caring.


We spend so much money on wasteful wars but we don't give a shit about our homeless at home.