Partnership Spotlight: Homeless Navigation Program and the Police Department
The partnership between the City of Wheat Ridge Homeless Navigation Program and the Wheat Ridge Police Department has been a game-changer in our efforts to support the unhoused community, and we would like to spotlight the relationship in the first installment of a new Partnership series! Here are some of the most effective ways in which we work together.
1) A key aspect of our partnership is making sure the Police Department is equipped with life-saving tools. In response to the ongoing opioid crisis, we’ve helped secure and supply Narcan—an essential medication that reverses opioid overdoses—to the department. This effort not only helps address a critical health issue but also reflects our shared commitment to saving lives and creating a healthier Wheat Ridge.
2) We also make it a priority to stay on the same page through regular communication. Monthly meetings between our program and the Police Department give us the chance to share updates, discuss emerging challenges, and strategize solutions together. These meetings ensure we’re aligned in our goals and working effectively as a team to support the unhoused individuals of Wheat Ridge. Because we have this rapport in place, we are able to reach out to PD quickly and easily for time-sensitive support or advice.
3) The Police Department has supported our outreach efforts by providing us with a police radio. Having this radio with us during outreach allows us to contact dispatch directly if we ever encounter an emergency. This immediate connection adds an extra layer of safety for our Navigators and helps us get emergency care to people quickly when it’s needed.
4) Our most recent collaborative effort has been providing the Police Department with cold weather outreach bags. These bags are packed with warm clothing, snacks, water, hygiene items, hand warmers, shelter information, and contact details for our Homeless and Housing Navigators. The officers have been distributing these during their interactions with the community, and they’ve been incredibly well-received. Not only do the bags provide immediate help for those in need, but they’ve also become a great way for the police to build rapport and trust within the community.
5) Looking forward to the year ahead, the Navigation Program and Police Department have a plan in place to begin presenting to new police recruits about the program during their orientation process. In these sessions, our staff will explain the resources available to unhoused individuals and how officers can connect people to those services. Because the police force interacts with the community daily and frequently encounters individuals experiencing homelessness, educating new recruits about the Navigation Program will significantly streamline the process of connecting those seeking help with the Navigators.
The partnership between the Wheat Ridge Homeless Navigation Program and the Police Department continues to grow and evolve, driven by a shared commitment to a common goal: Creating a safer, healthier, more compassionate community. Together, we’re making a real difference in the lives of unhoused individuals and taking meaningful steps toward addressing homelessness in Wheat Ridge.
WRPD with cold weather outreach bags
