Last summer, the Cheyenne Police Department launched the Homeless Empowerment Action Team, or HEAT. Police officers and the director of Cheyenne’s homeless shelter, the COMEA House, went around town and talked with homeless people.
They made sure homeless individuals knew the rules regarding trespassing, panhandling, and public intoxication, and warned them of the penalties for breaking those laws. They also told homeless individuals about services available to them. The goal was to help the homeless get back on their feet, and make them law abiding citizens.
The HEAT program wrapped up in November … and the Police Department recently released a report about it. We’re joined now by Officer Dan Long, and Robin Zimmer, the director of the homeless shelter. Long says the program went well.