The NYPD confirmed that an unidentified man died sometime during the night last night on Franklin Street. The 911 call came in at 5:23 am and police found a man lying in front of 142 Franklin, just west of Varick, unconscious and unresponsive. EMT arrived soon after and pronounced him deceased on the scene. The investigation is ongoing. The medical examiner will eventually determine the cause of death.

J. sent a note saying that neighbors were on the street speaking with police this morning. He moved around the neighborhood but had been constant on their block for the last month or so. He had long gray hair and generally sat on the stoop with a few boxes folded up. “Not overly talkative or friendly,” she said, “but I did get a good morning from him occasionally.”

She said with the temps falling, neighbors had tried to warn him to get somewhere warm or to a shelter. J. also thought this was a good opportunity to remind folks about the Bowery Mission, which takes the homeless off the street, at 90 Lafayette and White. They also have this primer on what to do if you want to help someone on the street; I have summarized it below.

You can also file a report with the city for assistance for homeless people here.

Tip #1: Acknowledge & Engage
Homelessness brings a sense of loneliness that can erode a person’s self-worth. Begin by simply acknowledging the people you encounter in the street or subway. Smile, say hello, introduce yourself, ask their name and begin a simple conversation. If the person is open to conversation, ask unintrusive questions, show interest, listen and learn something new. Many of our neighbors crave conversation, and something as simple as a friendly exchange can make a big difference.

If a person is sleeping, don’t wake them up. Sleep is a precious commodity for anyone living on the streets or in the subway. The kindest thing you can do is leave the person uninterrupted.

Tip #2: Respect Personal Boundaries – including yours
Show respect by keeping physical space. Don’t touch the other person or ask overly personal questions. Don’t make them feel trapped by approaching them with a group, or hovering over them where they’re sitting on the ground or sidewalk. Always ask for permission before kneeling or sitting down next to someone. If the person asks you a question you don’t want to answer, or asks you for something you don’t want to give, don’t be afraid to be honest about your boundaries. It’s perfectly fine to say “no” or “I can’t/won’t do that.” Both parties should feel free to disengage anytime someone feels uncomfortable or threatened. Just kindly explain that you need to go and say goodbye.

Tip #3: Offer Critical Items
Sometimes, a person just needs tangible support to get through the day. Ask if certain items would be helpful, such as

• toiletries
• new socks
• packaged food items like granola bars or bottled water
• a gift card to fast food or grocery store chain
• MetroCard
• gloves, scarf, hat, coat or blanket

Cash is rarely the best thing you can offer someone. A better option is to purchase something small and specific the person has requested.

Tip #4: Give Without Expectation
Sometimes, good intentions may not be reciprocated. If you receive a negative response, keep in mind that New Yorkers experiencing homelessness are dealing with one crisis after another. They likely aren’t sleeping well and may even be chronically hungry. They may be sick or feeling anxious, threatened or depressed. In all likelihood, life has brought them obstacles that make it a great deal harder to match your own good will.

Tip #5: Educate Yourself on Crisis Response
If someone is visibly agitated or acting erratically, it’s normal to feel confused about what to do. To ensure the safety of yourself and others, pause to assess the situation before determining a course of action. As best you can, avoid anything that might exacerbate the situation or cause further distress. Pay attention to the person’s body language and consider taking a step back to give them space to breathe and calm down. Sometimes, no matter how much we may want to help, the situations we encounter on our streets and subways may exceed our personal capacity to handle safely.

If there is no imminent risk of danger, a great option is to call or text 988, a free, 24/7 hotline for anyone experiencing any type of mental health-related distress. If someone appears to be an immediate danger to oneself or others, find a safe location and promptly call 911.