East SBV Times

The Community Service & Reentry Division's Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement Team (H.O.P.E.) conducted "Operation Shelter Me" on January 10, 2025, in Chino Hills and nearby areas. The operation aimed to connect with unhoused individuals, offering them housing, medical, and mental health services. The focus was on those with significant mental illnesses to link them to restorative mental health pathways.

During the operation, the H.O.P.E. Team engaged with 31 people experiencing homelessness. Of these, 25 received referrals to assistance programs, while four were connected with follow-up professional services.

In June 2023, San Bernardino County adopted Laura's Law or Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), which provides court-ordered community treatment for individuals with histories of hospitalization, incarceration, or violence. However, no candidates for AOT were identified during this operation.

The H.O.P.E. Team plans to continue similar operations throughout the county over the next year. This is made possible by "Community Concerns" funding approved by the County Board of Supervisors to address issues like homelessness and mental illness.

For information about services for individuals experiencing homelessness, contact the H.O.P.E. Team at 909-387-0623 or [email protected].

Sheriff-Coroner Shannon D. Dicus from the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department provided oversight for this initiative.