Photos: For St. Paul’s homeless, 12 hours of emergency warmth at the law enforcement center
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As winds howled and temperatures crashed Wednesday night, Ramsey County opened the lobby of its St. Paul law enforcement center overnight into Thursday, providing a little extra space in the city for unsheltered people on a harsh night.
The emergency effort highlighted the county’s response to an escalating crisis as frigid temperatures gripped the region. Those arriving were met with essential supplies, including blankets, food and beverages.
Among them was Nina Torgersen-Dwyer, 48, who has been living on the streets with her dog since losing her mother last January. “I haven’t stayed in a shelter,” she said. “It’s just been me and my dog, finding our way.”
Nearby, Amber, who has been unhoused for five years and relies on a wheelchair, sat holding her cat. “Without the chair, I can’t move far,” she said. “I’m just grateful to be somewhere warm for a night.”
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Cory, 38, spoke to how vital these spaces are for his survival. “Every time it gets this cold, I’m scared I’ll fall asleep and not wake up,” he said while eating a sandwich provided by the center.
For Tom, the warming space was a brief reprieve in his ongoing struggle. “One day I had a place, the next I didn’t. Since then, it’s been a struggle to get back on my feet,” he explained.
A man known on the streets as Cowboy arrived in a wheelchair with his belongings. Ashlee Bryant, undersheriff of detention services, helped him pack his items into a bag. Cowboy expressed gratitude for the brief reprieve.
In 2023, more than 10,000 people were experiencing homelessness in Minnesota on a single night, according to a study by the nonprofit Wilder Foundation.
This initiative is part of Ramsey County’s broader plan to address homelessness during the winter months. Additional winter warming spaces are set to open later this month, providing ongoing support for unsheltered residents.
The Law Enforcement Center lobby will remain an emergency option when temperatures reach dangerous lows. For 12 hours, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to 7:30 a.m. Thursday, it made a huge difference to a few people.