Ogden Police Conduct ‘Welfare Sweep’ Of Homeless Amid Extreme October Cold
Oct 31, 2019, 11:19 AM
OGDEN, Utah —Amid concern over unseasonably cold weather, police searched woods and marshes and other lesser-traveled areas within city limits to ensure the homeless had the resources they needed.
Lt. Will Farr said there was a “high possibility” that some people would be out overnight with temperatures dipping into the teens.
“We’re concerned for their well-being,” Farr said.
Officers looked in, around and through several areas of town, including river banks in the Fort Buenaventura area.
Det. Larry Lewis, while walking through the brush there, said homeless camps had been found before near the river and railroad tracks.
“I mean, there’s plenty of places that we can go, house them for the night, get them out of the cold, get them something warm to eat,” Lewis said.
After about 4 hours of looking, police said they did not discover any homeless campers.
They did say they provided winter gear to some people who frequent the area of the Marshall White Community Center.
Police hoped anyone staying outside was ready for the conditions.
“If you’re not prepared, you’re probably not going to make it,” Lewis said.
