Ostrava police launch preventive checks for homeless individuals

The Ostrava Municipal Police have initiated a program of preventive checks targeting homeless individuals across approximately fifty locations in the city. As temperatures approach freezing, authorities aim to mitigate the risks of hypothermia and other health complications for those living on the streets.

Police director Miroslav Plaček stated that regular activities and local knowledge help prevent life-threatening situations caused by low temperatures. The program is coordinated with social service departments and the city magistrate to inform individuals about overnight stays in shelters and social assistance centers.

However, officials noted that not all individuals accept these offers due to facility rules, such as prohibitions on alcohol or pets. Experts, including addictologist Viktor Mravčík and representatives from the Czech Association of Streetwork (ČAS), warn that police intervention without sufficient social and addiction services may only displace the problem elsewhere, a phenomenon known as the balloon effect.