Oklahoma City Police Department looks out for the vulnerable during extreme temperatures

During these extreme temperatures, the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) is making sure the most vulnerable population is being helped.  

This team works through the Oklahoma City Police Department and consists of two sergeants and one Lieutenant as a supervisor.  

They go out on the streets and deliver items like gloves, socks and even blankets to those in need. They also work to get people off the streets and into shelters.  

HOT sometimes faces hurdles when trying to help transition many from the streets to safe places.  

“One of the problems our guys have to deal with is people who absolutely refuse to help themselves. In times like this, when you've got somebody living on the streets and the temperature is going to be hovering around zero with bitterly cold wind chills,” said Master Sgt. Gary Knight.  

Knight said shelters will not turn anyone away. He said they encourage the homeless to go to the shelters but when they try and make them go, they just leave.  

“Those are people we typically worry about the most because they're not going to have shelter,” said Knight.    

He said even when temperatures are as low as they have been, many still refuse to have a safe place to go.  

Knight also added another important part of HOT is its partnerships like the mental health partnership and Key to Home Partnership.  

This is an effort working toward housing those who are currently unhoused.