Police Address Homeless Woman Situation In Hatboro

HATBORO, PA —She's a homeless woman often seen around the Dollar General Store on South York Road. And she's drawn the attention of residents who either want her to receive help or want her removed from the borough.

Over the past few weeks, the Hatboro Borough Police Department has received at least 20 calls about the homeless woman, Deputy Police Chief Mark Ruegg said at Monday's Borough Council committee meeting.

"Many of these calls and inquiries are of genuine concern for this individual's well-being while others have expressed frustration with the police department for not resolving the situation or arresting the individual," Ruegg said in a statement given to Patch.

Ruegg said that being homeless or without a residence is not a crime in the borough or the state, "nor should it be," he said.

"Individuals who may be suffering from mental health or other related issues are afforded the same rights and liberties as each one of us," Ruegg said. "They cannot and should not be arrested simply because they lack a home or are suffering from some other personal struggle."

Ruegg said that the police department has "taken every measure that is at our disposal" to assist the woman, including working with Montgomery County Mobile Crisis and their street outreach team.

He said that the resources are only effective if they are accepted and, in this case, the woman has rejected the resources offered.

Ruegg said that Hatboro isn't the only municipality in Montgomery County facing the issue of homelessness.

"While the police enforce laws, summon medical attention if needed, and assist other agencies, there are other levels of government, such as the county, that need to play an active role in the issue of homelessness," the deputy chief said.

Ruegg mentioned that one area of assistance is adding a Code Blue shelter on this side of Montgomery County. The closest one is in Lansdale, he said, and one is certainly needed when temperatures go below freezing or dig into the single digits.

"Regardless, we as a department will continue to monitor the situation and offer any individuals in this predicament the services that are available and encourage them to utilize them," Ruegg said.

He said that if any violation of a criminal law or borough code occurs, the police department will investigate and take appropriate action.