Cheyenne Police, Comea Shelter Launch Homeless Program

The Cheyenne Police Department and the Comea Shelter have announced a new program known as operation HEAT (Homeless Empowerment Action Team). Police spokesman Sgt. Rob Dafoe says the team will consist of a police officer and a counselor from the shelter who will approach homeless people who are violating the law by trespassing, panhandling or drinking in public. Dafoe says the team’s first priority will be to offer assistance and shelter. Dafoe says the team will also explain to the person what laws they are breaking and redirect them so they are not violating other people’s rights. Dafoe adds that being homeless is not a crime and says most homeless people are actually law-abiding citizens. But he says the program is designed to identify homeless people who are repeat offenders with the ultimate goal of helping them become productive citizens