A look at the Police Department's balanced approach to homelessness

posted on 12/10/2024

The Dover Police Department released a video last week demonstrating its integrated approach to addressing homelessness, which combines proactive assistance with appropriate enforcement when necessary.

The video features Police Chief William Breault, Police Lt. Alex Mitrushi, and members of the department's Social Work Unit discussing their collaborative strategy. The Social Work Unit includes Social Work Supervisor Kaitlin Jones, Outreach Social Worker Kelli Jo Deardorff, and Youth & Family Social Worker Alexis Taatjes.

Breault emphasizes in the video that while the department maintains a compassionate approach, they do not provide items like tents, sleeping bags, or food. 

"The police department believes in a hand up, not a handout," he explains. "We focus on helping people out of their situation by connecting them with shelters, drug rehabilitation, and other services in a timely fashion."

The department's balanced strategy includes firm enforcement when required. Breault notes that homelessness and mental illness are not crimes in themselves. The department follows a progressive enforcement model for camping on public property, giving individuals 24 hours to relocate and multiple opportunities to accept services before citations or arrests occur.

The video can be viewed at https://dovernh.viebit.com/watch?hash=jLvqi1kE6LbzCi8u.