In the heart of El Cajon, the police department is taking an unconventional approach to shed light on the city's pervasive homelessness issue by releasing a 35-minute documentary that captures their force's response to the crisis. The film, shared by the City of El Cajon's official Facebook page, plunges viewers into the daily challenges faced by the Special Enforcement Unit as they encounter individuals entrenched in a life on the streets, with many refusing the shelter and services offered to them.
Police Chief Mike Moulton expressed his frustration over the high number of unutilized city shelter beds, citing California Proposition 47 as a major hurdle. The law, passed in 2014, reclassified felony offenses such as drug use and possession to misdemeanors, subsequently limiting law enforcement's ability to make arrests for such crimes. "Proposition 47... reduced many of the felony crimes involving theft and drug use and drug possession, those types of things. It reduced those to misdemeanors, making them non-bookable offenses in the County of San Diego," Moulton told FOX 5. "So if somebody's using methamphetamine right behind you right now, that's not something we can take somebody to jail for. We have to write them a ticket and then hope they appear in court."
Despite San Diego County receiving and spending millions to combat the homelessness crisis, Moulton highlighted that from his nearly three decades of experience, the core issues are not just about housing but are deeply entwined with mental health and substance abuse. "The homeless issues we are experiencing on the streets are directly related to mental health issues or substance abuse issues," Chief Moulton explained in a statement obtained by FOX 5.
The documentary offers an eye-opening perspective on the ties between legislative changes and law enforcement challenges in managing public safety concerns tied to the homelessness crisis. As tickets have come to quickly replace arrests, officers find their efforts to address both crime prevention and humanitarian assistance severely constrained. This approach, meant to ensure that minor offenses do not lead to jail time, could be questioned by viewers as the film prompts critical discussions about the effects of such policies on local communities.
El Cajon officials hope that by sharing the experiences of their police officers on the frontlines, the public will gain a deeper understanding of the complexity and severity of the homelessness crisis. The city invites the community to join a dialogue and contribute their thoughts on finding viable solutions. The documentary is available for viewing on the City of El Cajon's Facebook page, providing an unfiltered look at the reality officers and the homeless face every day.
