HESPERIA – The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement Team (HOPE) conducted a quality-of-life initiative, Friday, in the city of Hesperia. The team, funded through SB 170 for $2 million, aims to stop the revolving door of homeless arrest, incarceration, and release.

The HOPE team uses a community policing philosophy to link the homeless population with resources and service providers throughout the county. The team connects unhoused residents to housing, medical and mental health treatment and other social services.

During the operation, the HOPE Team located 12 encampments and spoke to 22 homeless individuals. The team referred 20 to assistance programs and 9 were given direct assistance. Four individuals were determined to be eligible for housing programs, completed housing documents, and are now on a pathway to housing.

Currently, HOPE is a four man team assigned throughout the county. Their vision is to increase the quality of life for all citizens of San Bernardino County by reducing crime associated with the homeless population and subsequently saving taxpayer costs and resources.

The HOPE team will continue operations throughout the county over the next several years.

They have also created the Homeless Activity Reporter survey to allow citizens to report homeless activity within the county. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s HOPE team and various agencies will monitor reported homeless activity. The survey can be accessed here. 

The San Bernardino County Sheriff Department encourages the community to contact the HOPE team at 909-387-0623 or [email protected] if you know of someone experiencing homelessness who is in need of services.

For more information on the The San Bernardino County Sheriff Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement Team visit https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/programs/h-o-p-e/