Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 Helping the homeless: How the Everett PD is honoring commitment to public service W hen the world shut down in March 2020, a lot of things changed, including the role of Officer Jillian Donnelly of the Everett Police Department. When her main role as a School Resource Officer was put on hold as schools were closed, she shifted gears to meet the changing needs of her community, leaning into her role as Community Outreach Officer to aid the vulnerable homeless population in the city. Along with her Sergeant, Dennis O’Donnell, Donnelly was tasked with building a rapport with the growing transient population, many of whom gather in Everett Square. Donnelly, who says she has a “soft spot” for this population and truly likes to help people, was more than up to the task and began establishing relationships and gradually gaining their trust. The first success story came in the fall of 2020 when Donnelly was able to get one woman into a nearby detox center after she showed up at City Hall intoxicated and asking for help. Although it is usually done by family members, Donnelly was able to petition the court on the woman’s behalf, and a Section 35 was granted, which places someone in “eminent danger to themselves or others” in an involuntary hold for an alcohol or substance use disorder. Subsequently, the woman’s boyfriend also decided to get help. After they both completed 90-day treatments, Donnelly “literally never saw them again,” which is a good thing in this case. She heard later they were doing well. After this success, the team really got to work, interviewing people throughout the city to see how they could best meet their needs. They also made it clear what would not be tolerated – public drunkenness and disorderly conduct, for example – and that no officer wants to arrest them for these offenses if they can avoid it. The officers found 3RD ANNUAL FRANK MASTROCOLA KIWANIS BOCCE TOURNAMENT FOR THE ERSILIA CUP TO BENEFIT EVERETT KIWANIS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND CHARITY SPONSORED BY SABATINO INSURANCE WHEN: Saturday, June 12, 2021 TIME: 8 AM – 5 PM CONTACT: WHERE: Methuen Sons of Italy 459 Merrimack St. Methuen COST: $250/Team $75/Player that sometimes just having a conversation with people can go a long way. Some people have no family around or are estranged from their family because of substance abuse and/or mental health issues, and the feeling of isolation and hopelessness can become too much, but a simple kind gesture and the notion of someone “having their back” can make all the difference in agreeing to get help. Unfortunately, as the winter months set in, the dire need for help for the vulnerable population only increases. Many of them drink just to stay warm, and breaking and entering becomes an issue as the homeless seek shelter and warmth. During a snowstorm last year, a man was so severely intoxicated that he stumbled onto the onramp of the Tobin Bridge. Right around Christmastime, a homeless individual in a wheelchair was in desperate need of some help. He was well known in the community; the years on the street had hardened him, and although he was in extreme pain and vomiting, his distrust of doctors and fear of losing his belongings made him reluctant to seek help. Thanks to Donnelly’s persistence and arranging for his stuff to travel with him, he was able to get to a hospital and get medical treatment and ultimately an emergency surgery. He was later admitted to Barbara McInnis House in Boston, where he will remain until housing becomes available. Especially during the winter, it’s not uncommon for the Everett Police Department to go above and beyond to help in any way they can. This includes purchasing food, clothes and blankets with their own money, making calls on their off hours to find available beds and connect individuals with appropriate programs and even driving them to treatment centers or shelters once they’ve been secured. Once Donnelly and O’Donnell come across an individual in need, it is hard for them to forget the person. In 2018 a man was so intoxicated that he fell, injured himself severely and suffered a traumatic brain injury. In late 2020, on routine patrol Donnelly and O’Donnell again came across this man. His substance abuse issues were clearly still pertinent. Knowing the medical history of the man, both Donnelly and O’Donnell took it upon themselves to personally transport him to Recovery Centers of America in Danvers. This has happened on multiple occasions. The Everett Police Department works closely with various organizations and proHELPING | SEE PAGE 19
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