Struggle to stay warm in Trenton

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- Most of those we spoke to Wednesday morning in Trenton say they hate the cold.

If you take a look around town, the people are wrapped up, bundled up, covered up - the only way to manage in this freezing weather.

A group of Trenton city workers were removing the lights from the Christmas tree outside City Hall in shifts.

Julio Santiago, crew supervisor, tells us, "15-20 minutes, warm-up, start again. Better to be safe than sorry. Don't want to get frostbite."

Many of those forced to be outdoors today were bundled up from head to toe.

Terri Dotzy of Ewing says, "I don't like the cold weather. I'm freezing. You have to do whatever you can to bundle up."

There's no way around it in this bitter cold weather. You've got to bundle up.

In Trenton today most who ventured outside were dressed in layers for protection.

Michele Badalamenti of Brick tells us, "I have lots of layers. I have my warm boots on today, I got my scarf, my gloves, my big puffy jacket."

The Rescue Mission of Trenton has a day center that's filled at this hour. The homeless come here to get out of the cold.

Trebor Walker explains, "It's too cold standing around for a couple minutes. You got to get inside. It's too cold outside."

Barrett Young from the rescue mission says, "In the last two nights we've seen a drastic spike in individuals coming in off the street later at night saying, 'I just can't deal with it tonight. Can I please come in?'"

On cold days like this a noon meal is brought in from the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen so the homeless don't have to leave and go outside. The rescue mission can house 227 overnight, but if more show up there's an extra room of cots that can be opened.

Sybil Honeycutt, who is homeless, says, "This is a godsend to come here and be able to stay indoors, especially with the weather out there."

The city is getting the word out to seniors that four centers are open around town for the elderly to come for company and a warm place to be.

We caught up with some at the Reading Senior Center on Ringold Street.

Helen Lea of Trenton says, "It's really, really cold out there. I don't like the cold. So when it's cold, I'm covered from head to toe."

She is smart.

The City of Trenton issued an advisory to landlords saying they are required by law to keep the heat inside apartment buildings at 68 degrees - lower at night. If you're having any problems with your landlord, the city says to call The Department of Inspections.