Santa Cruz Police Homeless OUTREACH & SURVEY Summary

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018, Santa Cruz Police Department conducted a Homeless Assessment Outreach in all of the Neighborhood Policing Areas. The mission was to make contact with and survey every unsheltered individual in the city.

“It can take many contacts to encourage people living on the street to accept services,” said Police Chief Andrew Mills. “Every person has their own story and path to the streets. It is essential to find out where they are from and how they got here. And to extend resources".

Outreach Stats - A total of 251 surveys were completed. Estimated over 500 un-duplicated homeless person contacts were made.

Enforcement Stats - 89 citations issued and 28 arrests made. These arrests and citations were for warrants, possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, littering, open containers, trespassing, and loitering. 6 vehicles were towed and impounded.

As part of the survey, an officer will ask a series of questions about their background, including age, where they came from, how long they've been homeless and why they moved here. Information such as veteran status or if they became homeless as a result of fleeing domestic violence will help officers to direct them to services. The survey is voluntary, and people are free to give as much information as they want.

In this coordinated operation, the Santa Cruz Police Department also addresses livability issues related to transients loitering and numerous encampments on public property. Yesterday's cooperative effort between the River Street Emergency Transition Camp, the Santa Cruz Police Department along with Mental Health liaisons provided directions to services for homeless people.

Recognizing the many challenges related to this issue, the Santa Cruz Police Department works closely with mental health professionals, drug and alcohol abuse rehabilitation counselors to provide resources and services to those in need before enforcement action.