Homeless Man’s Death Moves Advocates To Quiz County on Code Blue Rules

RIO GRANDE – Richard Mutumba was a 50-year-old homeless man found dead by Middle Township police Dec. 10 at a make-shift campsite off Satt Boulevard, according to a police report.
He died about 7,100 miles from his native land, Uganda, Africa.
Police, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office were involved in Mutumba’s death investigation.
The cause of his death has yet to be determined pending toxicology results obtained from an autopsy that was performed Dec. 11 by the medical examiner.
Mutumba’s death prompted a group of homeless advocates from Cape Hope, a non-profit, Cape May-based outreach group, to attend the Dec. 12 freeholders’ meeting in Crest Haven.
Marty Montgomery, co-director, asked the board to review “common steps taking place in Cape May County” during a Code Blue.
Such a designation is declared by the county Office of Emergency Management when temperatures plummet and/or that condition is worsened by precipitation.
Montgomery said he wanted to “Be sure this sort of tragedy did not happen again.”
Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton replied that a Code Blue had been declared Dec. 8. In the interim over the weekend (Dec. 9-10), the temperatures remained low and several inches of snow blanketed the county Dec. 9.
County Social Services Department head Donna Groome attended the meeting and was asked by Thornton if Mutumba had applied for a voucher that would have enabled him to be sheltered in a motel during the Code Blue.
“I can’t discuss it,” Groome replied, citing confidentiality of department clients.
“That’s fine. We’ve got to be sensitive,” said Thornton.
He continued that all municipalities were notified of the Code Blue.
It is then the duty of the local emergency managers to see that warming centers are open to those who may seek shelter.
Groome said, “In a Code Blue anybody should be eligible for placement in a local motel if they are not on a Code Blue Ineligible List. That means they have to come in after being placed (in a motel, and be interviewed as to what services they may be qualified to receive.)
Groome continued that persons who received the motel voucher must “present the next business day to apply for services.” Being on the ineligible list is not a permanent classification, said Groome. She said that a person can reapply if they want to remain in the program, but must be interviewed by Social Service personnel to check qualifications.
For specifics on Code Blue qualification, contact the Homeless Hotline, 609-886-1325 or 877-886-1325.
If the person does not feel comfortable going into the Social Services Department, “other advocates” such as The Branches, in the rear plaza of the Village Shoppes of Rio Grande, may be able to assist them.
“They are the shock absorber,” said Freeholder Will Morey. “I didn’t imagine the scenario of no assistance.”
Groome said most who receive assistance “understand the need to come in and register to apply to maintain eligibility for Code Blue.”
There was a question whether a siren could be sounded when a Code Blue was declared. Thornton replied he would be “very hesitant to do that since it could have far-reaching implications” since sirens would have to be sounded at each firehouse in the county.
Notice of a Code Blue is carried on the Herald’s Textcaster service to those who have cell phones, and who request the service. Most who are indigent can qualify for a free cell phone and would get the message.
Thornton recalled talking with the homeless man, Tim McCart, about a week before his being killed crossing Route 47 in Rio Grande in his wheelchair.
“I introduced myself and asked, ‘Can we do anything for you? I can take you down the block to the Social Services building to help evaluate you.’ He said, ‘I don’t want your help.’ I didn’t know what to do. That is heart-rending.”
Cape Hope’s Mission Statement:
Guided by God’s word and inspired by God’s spirit to love our neighbor as ourselves, Cape Hope offers help to persons desiring to overcome the physical, emotional, and financial barriers that keep them from permanent housing and guide them to achieve their goals to reenter the community.
Our goal is to not only rescue but to walk with persons who are marginalized and are experiencing homelessness.
We provide personal attention and offer immediate and direct benefits to homeless children, families, and seniors that they may live with dignity as they work toward achieving their goals of sustainable housing.
We begin by building and fostering relationships of mutual respect with county and state organizations to create a setting of compassion and service.
Contact Cape Hope at 609-997-1794 or capehopecares@gmail.com. For more information, visit their website, www.capehopecares.org. 
Homeless Count
As of Jan. 21, 2017, 1,400 Cape May County residents were homeless by one or more of these definitions:
• 87 persons have no shelter at all. Each night, they sleep in doorways, boxes, or in the woods.
• 500 persons have a place to sleep most nights but are dependent on friends or relatives. They have no secure arrangements for tomorrow or a week from now.
Cape May County’s Department of Social Services offers support for emergency housing during Code Blue situations by way of the Homeless Hotline, 609-886-1325 or 877-886-1325.