Teams of volunteers and county workers took a headcount of Rockland's homeless population Friday.

The annual count helps the Rockland Department of Social Services determine where and what kinds of services are needed.

The teams are looking in areas where homeless people are known to gather. "A lot of the folks that we do encounter are hesitant. They've either become jaded or they don't want the assistance altogether," say Tony Petriccione, of the Rockland Department of Social Services.

Petriccione says teams will be working throughout the day, and again this evening, making sure they find as many homeless people as possible.

Rockland does not have an official homeless shelter. Rockland County Executive Ed Day says a shelter is not necessarily what's needed. He says funding current programs is the best course to take.

Totals are expected to be available on Monday.