A San Bernardino County operation to connect people experiencing homelessness in Rancho Cucamonga with resources and supportive services resulted in more than 90 people meeting with authorities and 25 arrests, officials announced last week.
The county Community Service and Reentry Division’s Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement, or HOPE Team and Innovative Remote On-site Assistance Delivery Teams conducted Operation Shelter Me in Rancho Cucamonga on Aug. 21 in partnership with the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station’s Multiple Enforcement Team, Solution Oriented Policing, and the San Bernardino County Probation Department.
The outreach effort aimed to connect unhoused residents with county staff and services, including housing, medical care and mental health treatment, while addressing community members’ safety concerns.
On Nov. 5, 2024, California voters passed Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act. The proposition took effect on Dec. 18, 2024, and reforms multiple laws from Proposition 47, which county officials said “have been responsible for increasing homelessness, drug addiction and theft.”
Proposition 36 includes several new Penal and Health and Safety Code provisions that law enforcement officers can apply during arrests, according to the county. These updated charges carry enhanced sentencing and prevent defendants from being cited and released before their court appearance.
During the latest Operation Shelter Me, outreach teams focused on individuals with significant mental illnesses to help them connect “with restorative mental health pathways,” according to the county.
The results of the Rancho Cucamonga operation, including instances in which Proposition 36 was applied, were:
- Approximately 95 individuals experiencing homelessness were contacted by deputies;
- 10 individuals accepted referral information to assistance programs;
- 61 individuals refused referral information to assistance programs;
- 4 individuals were arrested for their in-county misdemeanor warrants;
- 2 individuals were arrested for their in-county felony warrants;
- 1 individual was arrested for possession of a controlled substance possession of fentanyl;
- 8 individuals were arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia;
- 1 individual was arrested for felony commercial burglary;
- 3 individuals were arrested for trespassing onto private property;
- 1 individual was arrested for public intoxication;
- 1 individual was arrested for public nuisance;
- 1 individual was arrested for violating probation terms;
- 1 individual was arrested for felony obstruction of a peace officer; and
- 1 individual was arrested for a city of Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code violation for possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in public.
The HOPE Team and other similar groups will continue operating throughout the county over the ensuing year with money from the county’s Community Concerns fund, approved by the Board of Supervisors. The funding enables the Sheriff’s Department to address issues of concern such as homelessness, mental illness and public safety.
Everyone arrested during the operation are contacted in the county jail by the Sheriff’s Transitional Assistance Reentry Team and are offered additional resources and reentry services.
Officials advised the public to contact the HOPE team to report individuals experiencing homelessness who need services via 909-387-0623 or hope@sbcsd.org.
