WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The Wichita Police Department reported contacting 698 people experiencing homelessness over the weekend during the recent winter storm, with more people agreeing to go into shelter this year than in previous efforts.
“We worked Friday, Saturday, Sunday and we were working 12 hours a day trying to reach as many people as we possibly can to get them into shelter before the storm hit,” said WPD Officer Oliphant, representing the department’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT Team).
Shelter placement and follow-up efforts
Of those contacted, 114 people accepted services and were placed in shelters. For those who declined help, officers continued checking on them to ensure their safety.
“We just made it a point to go back on a regular basis multiple times a day to contact them to see if they changed their mind,” Oliphant said…