Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Department of Health and Community Wellness Director Ketlen Baptiste Alsbrook are activating “Code Blue” from 8 p.m., today, Thursday, January 2, until 9 a.m., Monday, January 6. During this period, temperatures are expected to drop to a low of 26°F.
A “Code Blue” is a Cold Weather Health Warning that is usually called when temperatures drop to 32°F or when there is a wind chill factor of 0°. Residents are reminded to continue being cautious during extreme cold weather.
The Health Department urges Newark residents to take precautions against the serious illnesses that can arise from extreme cold, particularly for vulnerable populations such as seniors and individuals with chronic health issues or mental health conditions. Citizens are also encouraged to check on their neighbors who may be isolated from friends and family.
The City of Newark Housing Code requires all property owners to supply heat from October 1 through May 1 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. at a minimum inside temperature of 68°F, and between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. at a minimum inside temperature of 65°F. To report no heat or hot water in your home, call the Division of Code Enforcement at (973) 733-6471.
The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services and its partners are dedicated to helping residents in need during a “Code Blue.” Shelters will be open during extended hours and will increase their bed capacity. Street outreach workers are available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, reaching out to individuals without addresses and encouraging them to enter emergency shelters or visit drop-in or warming centers.
If you see someone who is unsheltered and needs non-emergency services, please text “Path Home” to 855-11. This message will be sent to street outreach teams, who will locate the individual and offer assistance. For more information about sheltering services, please contact one of the shelters listed below or reach the Office of Homeless Services at (973) 877- 9481, available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
| Shelter | Address and Phone Number | Population Served |
| Miller Street Pathways to Housing Center | 41 Miller Street
Newark, NJ (862) 229-4461 |
Families Only |
| H.E.L.P. Center | 224 Sussex Avenue
Newark, NJ (973) 705-7200 |
Adults only |
Newark residents with insufficient heating at home can visit the following recreation centers during designated hours:
RECREATIONAL CENTERS FALL/WINTER HOURS
(Open to all Newark Residents)
| Central Ward | Site Address | Hours | Contact Information |
| Hayes Park West | 179 Boyd Street Newark, NJ | Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. | Marquita Harris
(973) 733-3959 |
| JFK Recreation Center | 211 West Kinney Street (entrance on Howard Street)
Newark, NJ |
Monday – Friday
6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
Brittany Taylor
(973) 715-2603 |
| East Ward | |||
| Kenneth Gibson/Sharpe James
Recreation Center |
226 Rome Street Newark, NJ | Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
Luis Ortiz
(973) 733-3707 |
| North Ward | |||
| Vince Lombardi Center of Hope | 201 Bloomfield Avenue
Newark, NJ |
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. |
Kia Goodwin (973) 482-5439 |
| Rotunda Recreational Center | 75 Clifton Avenue
Newark, NJ |
Tuesday – Friday
11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. –5:30 p.m. |
Mark Ceasar (973) 733-3677 |
| South Ward | |||
| St. Peter’s Recreation Center/Bo Porter Sports Complex | 378 Lyons Avenue
Newark, NJ |
Monday- Friday
11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
Maliah Worsley
(973) 733-8006 |
| Temple of Hip Hop | 55 Ludlow Street
Newark NJ |
Monday- Friday
8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
Bernard Chase
(862) 810-0058 |
| West Ward | |||
| Boylan Recreation Center | 916 South Orange Avenue
Newark, NJ |
Monday- Friday
8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
Andre Robinson (973) 733-8947 |
The City offers the following tips on keeping homes safe and coping with extreme winter weather:
- Keep the house heated to a minimum of 68°F. The temperatures inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 68°F will not keep the inside walls from freezing.
- Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping water moving within the pipes will prevent them from freezing.
- Check on seniors to make sure that they are warm and dry.
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- Check all windows and doors for drafts. Place plastic if you feel a draft.
- Do not leave space heaters unattended.
- Do not use generators indoors.
- It is illegal to use kerosene heaters indoors.
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
- Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Take inventory of emergency items.
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Newark, New Jersey has recently implemented a Code Blue protocol in an effort to help the city’s homeless population during the harsh winter months. The Code Blue protocol is activated when temperatures drop below a certain threshold, typically around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and provides emergency shelter and resources for those in need.
The implementation of the Code Blue protocol in Newark comes as a response to the growing concern for the well-being of the city’s homeless population during the winter season. With temperatures dropping to dangerously low levels, it is crucial to provide a safe and warm place for individuals experiencing homelessness to seek refuge.
Under the Code Blue protocol, emergency shelters are opened throughout the city to provide temporary housing for those in need. These shelters offer a warm place to sleep, hot meals, and access to resources such as clothing, blankets, and hygiene products. Additionally, outreach teams are deployed to connect with individuals living on the streets and encourage them to seek shelter during inclement weather.
The implementation of the Code Blue protocol in Newark is a collaborative effort between local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community volunteers. By working together, these groups are able to provide essential support and resources to the city’s homeless population during times of extreme weather conditions.
In addition to providing emergency shelter, the Code Blue protocol also aims to raise awareness about the issue of homelessness in Newark and encourage community members to get involved in helping those in need. By volunteering at shelters, donating supplies, or simply spreading the word about available resources, individuals can make a meaningful impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
Overall, the implementation of the Code Blue protocol in Newark is a positive step towards addressing the needs of the city’s homeless population during the winter months. By providing emergency shelter and resources, as well as raising awareness about the issue of homelessness, Newark is working towards creating a more compassionate and supportive community for all its residents.
