Mayor orders police to stop taking blankets from homeless people in the middle of winter, as if it even needed to be said

After videos of Denver police officers confiscating blankets from homeless people during harsh winter conditions as evidence of their violation of the city’s “urban camping” ban went viral, Mayor Michael Hancock ordered police to stop the practice.

“Every step we take is intended to connect people with safe and warm places and critical supportive services. We never intended to take the belongings that people need to keep warm,” he said in a statement, somewhat paradoxically—city police officers took blankets, which only exist to keep people warm. “Therefore, I have directed Denver police to cease taking camping equipment, like tents and blankets, when enforcing the unauthorized camping ordinance through the end of April.”