As bitter cold sweeps the state, New Haven police are not only responding to emergency situations like a fuel leak on Stiles Street, they're also looking out for residents in need of shelter.
“We're a city with a lot of walking beats, and that doesn't really get belayed because of cold weather,” said New Haven police spokesman Officer Dave Hartman.
Like in years past, part of that beat has officers on the lookout for anyone who may be left out in the brutal cold.
“We're looking out for everybody, especially people who are in need of shelter. New Haven has quite a number of homeless people, who sometimes don't heed the warnings of cold weather and try to bed down in places other than shelters,” said Hartman.
New Haven has extended its shelter hours, keeping them open 24/7 through Tuesday. Officials are working to continue that round-the-clock availability through Friday.
The city has also set up an overnight warming shelter at Church on the Rock and has a protocol in place to determine where men, women and children should go to escape the cold.
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“I know beds have been added to ensure that people who are need are afforded a bed, a warm place to be,” said Hartman.
The New Haven Police Department is also taking care of its own. Officials said that keeping officers warm keeps them effective.
“The officers have been encouraged not to stay outside for too long a period of time without taking a break to warm up a little bit, and keep moving is really the trick,” said Hartman.
