CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) – Carrying boxes of bottled water, Camden County police went door to door Friday checking in on seniors as potentially dangerous temperatures head our way.
“This means a lot to us because you guys are taking care of the residents here and this is also a big help,” said Jose Class.
Police also delivered box fans to several homes in Camden, which came as a relief to Class and his mother, who said their air conditioner was broken.
“This is very dangerous weather, especially for the elderly and people who suffer from asthma,” Class said.
Officers were active in the neighborhoods as part of the department’s Senior Watch and Community Outreach Program.
“There have been several instances where we’ve gone out and knocked on doors and we noticed it’s really hot because sometimes they can’t open the windows or they’re afraid to open them,” said Capt. Vivian Coley of the Camden Police Department County. .
As part of the program, officers keep air circulating in the seniors’ homes and ensure they stay hydrated.
Jimmie Lamar is one of 45 seniors in the city who signed up for the program. He said he is a summer man, but appreciates the officers coming to see him.
“I can’t put a number on it, it’s good help. I need this help, great help,” Lamar said.
“The seniors are extremely grateful. Some of them live alone and they love the company. They always want to talk when we come out, so they’re just really happy that the police care,” Coley said.
Any senior interested in participating in the program can call 856-757-7570.
While Camden County police check on seniors, the city of Camden is preparing to ensure residents of all ages stay cool as the Delaware Valley prepares for next week’s upcoming heat wave.
Camden will open two large pools in July and officials plan to announce the exact date for the openings early next month.
However, until the pools are open for the season, Camden’s Department of Public Works has opened splash pools to residents in anticipation of this weekend’s high temperatures.
The spray pools are open from noon to 8 p.m. Here is a list of spray pools in Camden to stay cool this weekend and on hot days ahead of the opening of the city’s pools.
- 4th and Jasper Sts. – Liney Ditch Park
- 4th and Washington Sts. –Washington Street Park
- 7th and Clinton Sts. –Clinton Street Park
- 9th & Ferry Avenue – Elijah Perry Park
- 30th and Fremont Sts. – Alberta Woods Park
- Park & Baird Blvd. – Farnham Park
- 6th and Erie Sts. – Pyne Poynt Park
- 28th and Mitchell Sts. – Ralph Williams Park
- Morgan St. – Reverend Evers Park
On extremely hot days when a Code Red is issued by the Camden County Health Officer, the City will activate the following cooling centers to prevent health risks due to the weather:
- Cramer Hill Community Center located at 1035 Reeves Avenue | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Monday to Friday (capacity 150)
- North Camden Community Center located at 6th Street and Eerie Avenue | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Monday to Friday (capacity 200)
- Martin Luther King Community Center located at 1151 Haddon Avenue | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Monday to Friday (capacity 30)
- Malandra Hall Community Center located at 1200 South Merrimac Road | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Monday to Friday (capacity 150)
- Isabel Miller Community Center located at 8th Street and Carl Miller Boulevard| 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Monday to Friday (capacity 125)
Ryan Hughes
