Lakewood Goes All-Hands-On-Deck Against Deep Freeze

Homeless and aged people in Lakewood have been getting a hand to endure brutal cold from official and grass-roots advocates.

Township Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein and Police Chief Robert Lawson worked through the first frosty night, enlisting police officers to spread the word of sheltering availabilities to dwellers of Tent City, long the highest-visibility homeless enclave in Ocean County.
Minister Stephen Brigham, who oversees the encampment, acknowledged that police visited hourly to offer transportation to services. The problem, he explained to us, was that very few felt secure in leaving their possessions behind.
Lichtenstein serves as liaison to the township's Office of Emergency Management, which provided cots, blankets and ready-to-eat meals. Some of the items went into service at the Lexington Rest Home when the facility's upper-floor heating failed.
All Saints Episcopal Church opened its doors to house those who sought help. According to a township spokesperson, several churches take turns offering room and roofs.

Lakewood Police urge anyone in crisis in the cold to reach them at 732-262-0200.