BUTTE – How cold can it get in Butte?
“Well, we’ve dealt with people who have been passed out on the sidewalks actually frozen to the sidewalks where they’re sleeping,” said Butte Undersheriff George Skuletich.
For this reason, police in Butte over the next few days will be keeping a sharp eye out for anyone in distress in the cold as temperatures fall well below zero.
If someone is homeless or too intoxicated to take care of themselves, police will put them in protective custody to keep them warm.
“In the past few years we’ve had people die because of exposure, so we’re just trying to get them the help they need, get them to the hospital and then will contact some of the social services agencies in the city,” said Skuletich.
Butte is still without a homeless shelter, but the new facility is expected to open up sometime in January.
“Our shelters are limited right now, so we’re just trying to get the people the help they need,” said the undersheriff.
And as these temperatures begin to plummet in the evening, the officers working the night shift have to guard against the cold as well.
“It’s difficult especially on accident scenes and stuff like that, our officers are staying out in the cold for a couple hours at a time. It becomes hard on them,” said Skuletich.
Police are warning people to avoid long exposure to the cold and don’t drink to excess and walk in the cold.
-John Emeigh reporting for MTN News
