News 12 Long Island has learned a homeless man who lived outside a West Hempstead supermarket, and was featured in several reports, has died.

George Baldwin, a 49-year-old homeless veteran, spoke to News 12 Long Island Monday about dealing with the frigid temperatures while living on the streets.

Det. Sgt. Anthony Repalone, of the Nassau Police Department, says Baldwin?s death may have been related to exposure to the cold.

Homeless people on Long Island are not forced to seek shelter on cold nights, unlike in New York City. Some wonder whether or not that?s the best policy. Experts say as many as 200 people may have spent Monday night outside on the streets in Nassau County alone.

Joan Noguera, of the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless, says forcing homeless people into shelters violates their individual rights.

Baldwin told News 12 Long Island years ago he preferred staying with the friends he trusted on the street, as opposed to in shelters, which could be dangerous.

Related Information:Suffolk non-emergency police - 631-852-COPSNassau County hotline - 1-866-WARM-BED