NEW YORK—New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (KWOH'-moh) says he’s ordering cities statewide to take homeless people from the street to shelters when temperatures freeze.
Cuomo said Sunday he signed an executive order to protect the homeless. It takes effect Tuesday.
The order came as temperatures in parts of New York state were dipping below 32 degrees. It calls for police departments and social service agencies to move people into shelters, including those reluctant to go.
The governor says the order is necessary to protect people from hypothermia and potential death.
He tells WCBS-AM he’s ready to defend the policy in the courts.
“We’re saying what we believe as a people, as a society, is we want to make sure every New Yorker has a place to be sheltered and doesn’t have to be in the cold weather,” Cuomo said.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says the city supports the governor’s intent but believes the action requires passage of a state law.
