East SBV Times

On June 7, 2024, the Community Service & Reentry Division's Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement Team (H.O.P.E.) conducted "Operation Shelter Me" in San Bernardino and surrounding unincorporated areas. The operation aimed to connect staff with unhoused residents to offer housing, medical, and mental health treatment services.

The team targeted individuals with significant mental illnesses to link them to restorative mental health pathways. They contacted 134 individuals and provided 107 with referrals for assistance programs. Seventeen people received immediate emergency housing, including three families, a pregnant woman in late stages of pregnancy, and two veterans. Those housed are being connected directly to service providers for further support beyond homelessness. Despite limited service capacity, the teams will continue efforts to integrate this population into available services.

San Bernardino County opted into Laura’s Law in June 2023. This law provides court-ordered community treatment pathways for individuals with histories of hospitalization or incarceration and violence toward themselves or others. During this operation, no individuals meeting the criteria for Laura's Law were located.

The focused outreach was supported by funding from Senate Bill 170, which enables ongoing operations like these by the Department. The H.O.P.E. Team plans to continue similar operations throughout the county over the next several years.

For those aware of persons experiencing homelessness needing services, contact the H.O.P.E. Team at 909-387-0623 or [email protected].

Refer: The H.O.P.E. Team

Station: Community Service & Reentry Division

Phone No.: (909) 387-0623

Case No.: N/A

Shannon D. Dicus

Sheriff-Coroner

San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

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