Camden County Inmates Shovel Snow For Seniors And Disabled Residents

Camden County offers assistance to senior citizens and disabled residents who are unable to shovel or plow snow off their property on their own.

The Camden County senior and disabled snow removal program goes into effect after four inches of snow has fallen on the ground in the area, the Camden County Freeholder Board said Monday morning. Snow removal won’t begin until after snow has stopped falling, and removal will take place only during daylight hours, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

“The snow removal program is available to help seniors and disabled individuals get out of their homes for necessities such as prescriptions or medical appointments,” Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the Camden County Department of Emergency Management, said. “The program uses Camden County Jail inmates who are carefully screened, non-violent offenders who are guarded at all times on the job site by corrections officers.”

At-risk senior and disabled residents can contact the Camden County Division of Emergency Management at 856-783-4808 ext. 5060, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Crews will respond to calls in the order they are received and will service as many residents as possible each day. There are no guaranteed times when the crews will arrive at a residence.

Senior and disabled residents must call after each substantial snowfall to request this service.

The Department of Corrections will supply the needed equipment. The program does not supply salt or ice-melting chemicals, but crews will dispense them if supplied by residents.

Inmates are not allowed to speak to the public, and gratuities and gifts or money, food, drink or any other item is strictly prohibited. The Office of Emergency Management is also monitoring conditions.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for South Jersey, as between 8 and 12 inches of snow may be dumped on the county between 8 p.m. Monday night and 6 p.m. Tuesday evening.

“During these harsh weather conditions, please stay indoors to keep warm and stay out of the elements whenever possible,” Young said. “If you must go out, please take precautions to keep you and your family safe from the extreme temperatures.”