Officers share their experiences using the program. These are compiled from actual shift reports.
*Note: Some details are altered or omitted to protect privacy, but reports are not always corrected for spelling and grammar from original.
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Case #20-XXX
On October 25, with evening temperatures over the next few days expected to be well below freezing, Officers utilized funds provided to assist a female and her young child with continued hotel expenses for an additional evening. This extension of lodging assistance was to ensure that the female would not be left on the streets in dangerously cold weather, putting her health and the health of her child in jeopardy, prior to housing resources becoming available on Tuesday.
Case #20-XXXXX
In September and October, the Police Department received three calls for welfare checks on a male who was suffering from mental health issues. The male’s health was poor due to not taking his medications and problems with his in-home care. One major issue was his refrigerator had broken leaving him with no way of storing food and ensuring a healthy diet. The male receives minimal income through fixed state assistance. Our Mental Health partners (MHP) worked to stabilize the male’s situation. Without a working refrigerator, the male’s ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle was diminished. We worked with our MHP partners, the in home care provider and the male to assist him through the fund to purchase a working refrigerator. The caregiver found a cost effective solution through Lowes. The male paid the $400 he had and the fund picked up the remaining $120.16 to complete the purchase. The male was very appreciate of the Police Department’s assistance. No doubt, this will help maintain the male’s good health.
Case #20-xxxxx
On November 9, an officer was dispatch to an assist and contacted the male. Male stated he was aware individual that was in need of some help. He stated he attends [A Community] Church and a 29 year old male attends his church and volunteers his time. 29yo Male is disabled and not able to work, but he volunteers at the Humane Society and Goodwill. He rides the bus, but due to bus stop locations has sometimes has a long walk. Reporting party had asked if we had any old bikes that had been picked up by [Police Dept] and had not been claimed by anyone. Although bikes from [Department] are not released to the public, we took the opportunity to tell the reporting party about the fund and the Officer decided the fund was a good option. The fund was used to purchase a bike, helmet, and bike lock for the disabled volunteer.
Case # xx-xxxxx
November 13, Covered the cost of labor at [local window repair shop] for installing 3 windows ($75 per window) so that female owner can secure her vehicle when it’s parked. The vehicle windows had been broken out, and homeless people were using the vehicle as shelter. She could not afford to replace the windows on her fixed income.
Case #21-xxxxx
On January 20, a 77 year old male was involved in a collision in the early morning hours and was transported to the hospital. Later this same day, after being released he was unable to locate his walker and had difficulties getting around his home. Officer [A.] was able to locate a walker (to assist him in getting around his home) at Goodwill and used the fund. Male was appreciative of this assistance.
Case # xx-xxxx
On August 8, Officer [B.] responded to disabled car along [local] Street, he contacted a couple and their infant child. The male stated the car would not start. They recently moved here from [elsewhere]. They are both employed, he works in the fields during the day and she works at a convenience store during the night but they still cannot afford to fix the car and it is their only form of transportation. [Local] Towing responded and towed the car to [local auto repair shop] free of charge. [Local Auto shop] fixed the idle air control valve at a much-discounted rate, the balance of which was covered by the fund.
Case #xx-xxxx
On September 20, Officer [C.] was dispatched to contact a female asking for assistance. Officer contacted female who stated she was homeless, lost her job and had a 10-year-old son. She was staying with a friend but can no longer stay there and her son was staying with her mother but she has housing restrictions and cannot stay with her anymore. She checked every resource and the Mission was full for mothers with children, which was verified by Officer [C.]. She had paperwork from DSHS confirming that she had qualified for benefits starting October 1st – also confirmed. Funds were used to purchase lodging at [Local motel] until October 1st .
Case #xx-xxxx
On September 26, Officer [R.] was dispatched to a suicidal subject. He contacted a female who was having suicidal thoughts and had a plan to do it. [Local] Counseling intervened and female was taken to [care center], where she will receive the mental care she needs. However, she had a small child with her and needed her to be picked up by the child’s grandmother. The grandmother did not have funds for gas to drive to pick up the child. Funds were used for gas for the grandmother. Child went with the grandmother instead of Child Protective Services.stories/
