BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Right now, in Daviess County, white flag procedures do not begin until it is15 degrees or colder; however, there are efforts that might change that.

What You Need To Know

  • A white flag event is when people can seek a public warm shelter during cold temperatures

  • Right now, Owensboro’s white flag policy does not allow for public warm shelters to be accessible for everyone until it gets to 15 degrees

  • By comparison, Louisville’s policy allows shelters to be public if it gets to 35 degrees

  • Advocates could like to see the policy changed to match Louisville's policy

By comparison, Louisville’s policy allows shelters to be public if it gets to 35 degrees or lower.

Harry Pedigo is the executive director at Daniel Pitino Shelter in Owensboro. Pedigo said he is hoping the policy changes.

The Daniel Pitino Shelter is the designated emergency shelter for the city and Daviess County. When a white flag event is issued, the shelter has to open its doors to anyone who needs a warm place to stay.

Pedigo wants to change the white flag policy to be closer to Louisville’s policy.

“It’s going that extra step to ensure that not only are we saving lives, we’re potentially lowering any physically harm it may cause like frostbite,” Pedigo said.

Not only is Pedigo advocating for this because he cares for the people of Owensboro, he’s also doing because he knows what it’s like to live on the streets in cold conditions. He was homeless for 11 years.

Pedigo said he rarely had a roof to sleep under, enduring blistering winds and cold weather throughout fall and winter seasons.

“I would literally seek refuge under a canopy, or under somebody’s back porch, or under a deck. There were times where I couldn’t go to sleep because I was shivering so bad,” Pedigo said.

Pedigo said he worked to turn his life around.

“I remember thinking, ‘Something has to come of this,’” Pedigo said. “There is no way God would allow me to live this life and it not mean anything.”

Pedigo got his undergraduate and graduate degree in social work.

Now, he’s using his education and experience of homelessness to help others get out of the same situation he was once in.

One of those he is helping is Joseph Hudspeth, who is currently seeking refuge at the Daniel Pitino Shelter

“It feels good being here; it really feels like the people are really trying to help you. They talk to you with respect. They treat you good; as long as you’re good to them, they’re good to you,” Hudspeth said.

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