City of Newburgh police officers Estevez and Encarnacion are making a difference in the lives of some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
While regularly patrolling Broadway and surrounding neighborhoods on foot, the officers have built relationships with residents, businesses, service providers, and individuals experiencing homelessness. In 2025, they worked directly with 15 individuals and helped connect them with housing, rehabilitation, mental health services, and other support.
The officers continued their outreach in 2026 by participating in the annual Point-in-Time Count, where their knowledge of the community helped outreach, workers connect with individuals who might otherwise have been difficult to reach.
Building on those efforts, Estevez and Encarnacion are developing the unHoused Outreach Team, or HOT Team. The initiative will bring together law enforcement, city departments, mental health and medical providers, social workers, peer support specialists, housing providers, nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups and other community partners.
The HOT Team’s goal is to better coordinate services for individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges and other crises. Through collaborative outreach, the team will work to improve access to services, support long-term stability and enhance public safety.
The initiative remains in the early planning stages, with the officers currently meeting with prospective partners and developing a coordinated outreach framework.
Their work reflects the City of Newburgh Police Department’s commitment to community policing, compassionate engagement and practical solutions aimed at improving the quality of life in the city.
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