The homeless in Butte are dealing with frigid temperatures. | Wilfredo Rafael Rodriguez Hernandez, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons, resized from original
The homeless in Butte are dealing with frigid temperatures. | Wilfredo Rafael Rodriguez Hernandez, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons, resized from original
Claude Vail, regularly homeless in Butte, Montana, said that it has been very cold lately so something needs to be done.
“It’s been real bad. The last couple days have been real cold. I was out the other night, it was so cold it was miserable. You know, people are freezing out here. Something’s got to be done," Vail said, KTVQ reported.
The homeless in Butte are dealing with frigid temperatures, and a man who called a culvert his home ended up likely dying from exposure. Many are worried other homeless people could face the same fate if nothing is done.
According to Butte Police, they are awaiting the results of an autopsy on the 36-year-old homeless man who was found dead in a culvert on Nov. 26. They also reminded people that extreme cold can be fatal to anyone who can’t find shelter.
"When it gets to be 10, 15 below zero, even 40 below zero before the winter’s over, there’s just no forgiveness in the conditions and the elements, so if a person is attempting to live in a culvert or a tent, the danger just goes way up there," Butte Sheriff Ed Lester said.
Due to the cold, the Butte Rescue Mission’s emergency shelter has been filled in recent days.
“So every night it’s kind of a challenge," Director of the Butte Rescue Mission Braydon Erickson said. "It’s first come, first serve. Check-in is at 4:30, so we’re trying to make sure everybody’s got a warm place to stay for the night."
The shelter still gives out free winter clothes, blankets and sleeping bags to help people endure the cold when it doesn't have any room left. It stays open all day whenever the temperature is 10 degrees or lower and the recent death is a reminder of the need for the shelter.
“That is tragic, you know, we don’t want to see anybody getting hurt and we don’t want to see anybody suffering," Erickson said. "We want to be a soft landing where somebody can come. They can get on their feet, so to speak, they don’t have to be out in the elements." Donations of winter clothing and blankets are being accepted by the shelter."
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