On November 10th, 2023, the Community Service & Reentry Division's Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement Team (H.O.P.E.) implemented "Operation Shelter Me" from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in several Morongo Basin communities, according to reports from the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department. The initiative involved reaching out to homeless inhabitants in the City of Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley, and nearby unincorporated communities, offering critical services like housing, medical, and mental health support.
Working together with the Department of Behavioral Health, the initiative aimed to assist mentally ill individuals access mental health services. During the day, engagement with fifteen homeless individuals took place, out of which nine were referred to assistance programs while seven benefited from subsequent professional interventions because these efforts. To support these continuous operations, the department was provided with funds through Senate Bill 170, underlining the necessity of adequate resources for maintaining such programs.
Despite the constraints on service capacity, H.O.P.E. teams are to maintain the collaboration with homeless residents, providing them additional services as they become available. This becomes especially important considering how the San Bernardino County adopted Laura's Law, or Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), in June 2023, which gives the ability to mandate court-ordered community treatment for individuals with a history of hospitalization or confinement, according to the Department. Additionally, the law can apply to homeless individuals who might pose a harm to themselves or others. A single Laura's Law investigation was initiated during the "Operation Shelter Me."
Programs like "Operation Shelter Me" do much needed work in addressing immediate concerns, but long-term solutions require a more holistic approach, including mental health treatment, affordable housing, and employment opportunities. With initiatives like these in place, we are moving toward comprehensive solutions for homelessness within the Morongo Basin communities.
Community involvement is also integral in supporting the homeless population. The H.O.P.E. Team asks anyone aware of a homeless individual who might be in need of services to reach out at 909-387-0623 or email at [email protected].
