08/08/2026
YESTERDAY, WE EXERCISED OUR TRUE VALUES: PROTECT & SERVE. 💙🫡
Yesterday was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do and why we continue to say, “It takes a village” and “It takes a community.” When people come together with compassion, faith, and a willingness to help, amazing things can happen.
The Mingo Junction Police Department received a call at the station from a woman who stated that she was homeless and needed some assistance. Officers responded to her location, and when we arrived, we realized that she was accompanied by her fiancé, a two-year-old child, and a nine-month-old baby.
They were standing on the side of the road with everything they owned. They were also more than 1,000 miles away from their destination. They had no money, no diapers, no wipes, and very little to their name—but they had good personalities, beautiful children, and most importantly, they still had hope.
At first, we thought we would have them placed in a shelter within 30 minutes. However, as time passed, we quickly realized we were facing a much bigger battle.
But we knew that with prayer, persistence, and action, we would find a way. 🙏
We began calling local shelters throughout the county. They were full.
We called shelters in surrounding counties. They were full.
We contacted local hotels. They were also full due to a concert taking place in the Pittsburgh area.
At this point, we were already three hours into serving and protecting this family. The family remained safely inside our cruisers, staying cool in the air conditioning while we continued making phone calls and searching for an answer.
Then, finally, we received a call back from the Jefferson County Community Action Council.
They listened to the situation and, instead of turning us away, they simply said, “Just come here with the family. We want to help you guys figure this out.”
Those words meant more than they probably realized. After hours of hearing “we’re full” and “we can’t help,” someone finally opened a door.
It truly felt like a testament of faith. 🙏
By the time we arrived at the agency, we were approximately four hours into the call. We were met by five amazing individuals who genuinely cared.
They didn’t judge this family.
They didn’t look down on them.
They didn’t treat them differently because of their circumstances.
They treated them like family. They treated them like human beings.
And because of their compassion and willingness to help, by the fifth hour, this family had a roof over their heads, beds to sleep in, blankets to keep them warm, food in the refrigerator, and most importantly—they were safe. ❤️
This is what community looks like.
This is what compassion looks like.
This is what “It takes a village” truly means.
We want to sincerely thank each and every individual pictured here for your commitment, dedication, compassion, and willingness to step up when this family needed help the most.
Thank you for all that you do for the people of Jefferson County every single day.
This wasn’t just a call for service. This was a testimony. 🙏
Yesterday reminded us that sometimes protecting and serving isn’t about making an arrest or writing a citation.
Sometimes, protecting and serving means simply refusing to give up on someone.
And yesterday, our community came together and proved once again:
IT TAKES A VILLAGE.
IT TAKES A COMMUNITY.
AND TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 💙🫡
Mingo Junction Police Department
Protect & Serve
