A task force in Kensington, Philadelphia, is working to extinguish fires started by homeless people seeking warmth, a move welcomed by residents but met with mixed reactions from those experiencing homelessness. The program, launched in late November, has already put out 200 fires, addressing concerns about public safety and the release of harmful smoke. However, some argue that the task force fails to address the root causes of homelessness and that alternatives like warming centers and shelters are not sufficient.
A task force in Kensington is charged with extinguishing fires that keep the homeless warm. Residents are welcoming the new effort.
He was annoyed, he said, but understands why they had to do it — he’s seen a rubbish fire from the sidewalk ignite a wooden fence after a drug user passed out next to it. Still, as a homeless man inMeanwhile, Darlene Abner-Burton said she walks through Kensington with one less thing to fear.
Law enforcement has always responded to residents’ 911 calls, or put out rubbish fires when they see them. Now, the model is more proactive, and less reliant on neighbors to call for help. She spent the rest of the night outside waiting on the corner of Somerset Street, she said, shivering in her drenched clothes.
Roz Pichardo, a Kensington resident who runs the Sunshine House, a resource hub at 2774 Kensington Ave. for people facing homelessness and addiction, felt torn about the issue. Just on Monday, she said, she saw a sidewalk fire crawl up the wall of a check-cashing store across the street. She and others ran over to put it out.
HOMELESSNESS FIRE SAFETY PUBLIC HEALTH PHILADELPHIA KENSINGTON
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