The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Community Service & Reentry Division, through its Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement Team (H.O.P.E.), conducted “Operation Shelter Me” in the Victor Valley area and nearby communities on September 5, 2025. The outreach was carried out in partnership with the Department of Aging and Adult Services.
The operation focused on making contact with unhoused residents to provide information about housing, medical care, and mental health treatment options. Special attention was given to individuals experiencing significant mental illness, aiming to connect them with appropriate mental health services.
According to the department, the H.O.P.E. team contacted 39 people experiencing homelessness during the operation. Of those, 29 accepted referral information for assistance programs, and eight were connected directly with local service providers.
San Bernardino County implemented Laura’s Law in June 2023, allowing for court-ordered community treatment for certain individuals with a history of hospitalization, incarceration, or violence. In April 2025, the county adopted Senate Bill 43, which permits evaluations for substance abuse and mental health treatment if someone is determined to be gravely disabled. During this outreach effort, no candidates were identified who met criteria for assisted outpatient or substance abuse treatment.
Future operations are planned throughout the county over the next year. These efforts are supported by special “Community Concerns” funding approved by the County Board of Supervisors. This funding enables continued work addressing issues such as homelessness and mental illness among county residents.
Anyone aware of individuals experiencing homelessness who may need services can contact the H.O.P.E. Team at (909) 387-0623 or via email at hope@sbcsd.org.
“SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department”
