OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – The holiday giving spirit is already in full swing in Oshkosh, where police worked with other local programs to get a pair of men out from under a bridge – and into an apartment ahead of the winter weather.
Early in the summer, citizens were contacting the Oshkosh Police Department expressing their concerns about homeless individuals sleeping under the bridges and camping near the River. Officers made contact with several people who were residing under the bridges.
“When we asked about property that was being stored there and why people were staying there during the day and also at night, the answer kind of surprised us,” said Officer Kate Mann. “He was watching the property while two of his friends were at work and then he pointed to a man who was sleeping and said that he just got done working third shift. He also went on to tell us that he also worked.”
The discussion led officers to ask some follow up questions.
“What are some of the barriers that are preventing individuals with jobs from finding a place to rent? What at the police department can we do to help these individuals and help improve their quality of life?” Mann said. “It’s really important that we help citizens out in any way we can, and this is just one of those opportunities where we could help these two individuals out.”
After working in conjunction with staff from the Day-by-Day Warming shelter it was discovered that in some cases citizens are working but only temporarily and in other cases, it came down to a down payment.
“The large amount of money that is due, being the security deposit and first month of rent, when first signing a rental agreement, can be a challenge,” Mann said.
The Day-by-Day Warming shelter typically turns away anywhere from six to fifteen people every night, even during the winter months.
“Those are people that don’t have any place to stay during the nighttime, and it’s getting cold out there,” Mann said. “They still go under the bridge or may to a 24-hour gas station to warm up. Some people will even come in to the lobby area of the police department as well.”
The Police Lights of Christmas is a program that provides donated funds to Police Officers to help citizens in need. Officers receive these donated funds in the month of December to give out to members in the community.
“This would be a great opportunity for us to use some of these funds to help get these two gentlemen into an apartment. Both the Day-by-Day Warming shelter and Police Lights organizers were on board with it,” Mann said. “It was really a great connection, connecting people in need with also the people who have the resources. It was the highlight of our day as we watched the keys to the apartment handed over to these two gentlemen who are now no longer homeless…Especially with this weather getting colder, it’s a great time to get these guys into an apartment.”
The Day-by-Day Warming Shelter staff worked diligently with these individuals to make sure that they were still employed full time and had the necessary wages to continue to pay rent. Day-by-Day Warming Shelter staff also assisted in locating an apartment that would fit their needs.
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