UTICA — The Oneida County Office Building in Utica will be be used as an overnight warming shelter for anyone looking to escape the extreme cold expected this weekend, according to Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr.

The Office of Family and Community Services has set up a seating area on the first floor to serve as a warming center when temperatures dip below freezing. The warming center will operate from 5 p.m to 8 a.m. until Monday, Feb. 6.

The county office building is located at 800 Park Ave. in Utica.

“With cold temperatures and extreme wind chill forecasted through this weekend, many Oneida County residents will be at risk,” Picente said.

“We are working diligently with our partners at the Rescue Mission to make sure those who do not have shelter are cared for. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, and complement other such services provided by places like the Cornerstone Community Church, we have taken the unprecedented action of opening our county office building to offer respite to those in need.”

Individuals utilizing the warming center will have access to restrooms, but no beds or bedding will be provided. DFCS is coordinating this effort with the Rescue Mission of Utica, which operates its own 24/7 warming center on behalf of the county located at 205 Rutger Street.

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office will be providing security for the warming center at the county office building.

Rome

Meanwhile in the City of Rome, efforts have already begun to make sure the homeless population is not left out in the cold.

As far as administering shelter, "We're already doing that. This morning (Thursday) RPD (Rome Police Department) responded to a call for three homeless people who had a small campfire. Unfortunately, all three were wanted on warrants and ended up being arrested," said Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo.

As of today, the mayor said the city is following usual procedures to either bring the homeless into the Rome Rescue Mission shelter, or find them shelter and services provided by Oneida County.

"We try to bring them to the Rome Rescue Mission shelter if they're eligible to be housed there and if not, then we look for alternative shelters through county resources and the Public Health Committee," Izzo said. "We have a relationship with Utica as well and can send people to the Utica Rescue Mission shelter."

She said, "One of the Issues we have, is that many homeless people don’t want to be inside, and we can’t force them. If it’s determined by an officer that someone perhaps is suffering from mental illness, then we make arrangements for them to be seen and evaluated in the emergency room."

"We do everything we can to find shelter for someone, and we're not going to let them stay in the cold. We'll do it on case-by-case basis, and we already started that today."