Troopers Conduct Cold Weather Outreach Project

Location: 3rd and Walnut Street in the City of Wilmington, Delaware

Date of Occurrence: Thursday, February 25, 2010, at approximately 12:00 noon

Resume: At about 12:00 noon, Troopers conducted a cold weather community outreach project in the City of Wilmington.

For the past several weeks, various individuals from our communities, Troopers and members of the DSP Citizens Police Academy had donated dozens of winter coats to the Troop 2 barracks in Glasgow. With a grim forecast ahead, Troopers took these garments into Wilmington and located individuals on the city streets that desperately needed them.

Some of the individuals receiving coats were homeless, some down on their luck and others simply very cold because they are unable to dress appropriately for the weather.

Colonel Robert M. Coupe said, “It’s programs like this that allows Troopers and citizens alike to partner together and make a difference in the lives of those in need; also in a way that does not involve traditional police work. Today, we saw the look of relief on some of the faces of the people who received a coat because they knew that maybe for once in quite some time; they would not be cold tonight.”

Senior Cpl. Jeff Whitmarsh advised, “The coat closet is empty now as all of the donated garments we received this winter have been passed out. I hope that next year the generosity of the citizens and Troopers who make yearly donations will allow DSP to conduct this outreach project again. This is one of the most gratifying initiatives we are a part of.”

The Delaware State Police conducts this initiative every year and donates coats to several area shelters, community organizations, and, as in today’s program, directly to those in need on the street.