New York Police Applaud Man Who Break into School To Help Stranded Winter Storm Travelers

Police New York praised a man who broke into a school to shelter travelers stranded during last week’s winter storm Many were killed in that accident. 

Jay Withey, from Cheektowaga (New York), broke into a local school to shelter 24 people who were left in Buffalo’s suburbs by inclement weather. 

Police praised Withey for leaving a note at school apologizing for his actions and credit him with saving many lives. 

“We identified the amazing Jay with the help of his friends and family! Our Chief was able to speak to him and express our gratitude for his heroic actions,” The Cheektowaga police released a statement. 

Withey (27), was left stranded with many others along Delavan Avenue, Cheektowaga, on December 23, when he entered a nearby school and began to drive from car to vehicle inviting them to shelter. Cars were blocked by snow and ice. 

“I said I have to do something there’s other people stuck around here,” Withey told WBEN radio. “I know there is. We can’t be the only ones stuck. So I told her I’m going to break into the school.”

Withey said that he had seen many stranded travelers and went back to look for them. “God’s will” He broke into the school in order to save others. 

“Like I said, I walked til I cried,” He said. “I walked til I couldn’t walk anymore.”

Withey, along with others, were able to keep warm inside the school and find food to sustain them until it was time to go. Police praised Withey and the others for their actions in taking care of each other and not trashing the school’s facilities during their stay.

“We watched the video surveillance and witnessed people taking care of people. There was a freezer full of food but no one touched it. They only ate what was necessary to stay alive. They used the gym for the kids to play and pulled the smart boards out of the classrooms to watch the news for updates,” They said it in a Facebook post that was intended to identify Withey. 

Withey made the school safe with a snowblower. Everyone left. note Apologize for any damage caused to the school. “I’m terribly sorry about breaking the school window and for breaking in the kitchen,” He wrote a note, but only signed it with his first initial.  “I had to do it to save everyone and get them shelter and food and a bathroom.”

School officials don’t plan to bring any charges against Withey, or any other individuals who entered the school in order to escape freezing conditions.

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