The SaMo Bridge program, a Santa Monica initiative designed to steer individuals with homelessness or behavioral health issues away from the criminal justice system, is gearing up to offer a fresh path for those caught up in low-level offenses. In a recent development shared by the City of Santa Monica's official blog, mobile units have now found their home outside the dormant Civic Auditorium.
The program, set to launch this month, is the city’s latest attempt to tangibly address the homeless crisis with a solution that hopes to yield lasting effects. When the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) comes across an individual accused of minor infractions, such as breaching the city’s camping laws, they're now presented with an either-or: face jail time or opt into SaMo Bridge's "respite hub." The former usually results in a citation or booking and a 30-day gap before court appearances.
The "respite hub" offers, instead, immediate refuge. Intending to be more enticing, it provides essentials—food, hygiene facilities, and a place to rest momentarily. Here, an individual could be more likely to engage with an on-site case manager, as reported in the city's blog. The case manager's task is to script out a 90-day care plan, focusing on housing and treatment, to navigate participants towards more stable futures.
Exodus Recovery Inc. has signed on to run the program's day-to-day operations, offering 24/7 case management services. If participants diligently follow through with their 90-day plan, the misdemeanor charge, for which they were originally picked up, will not fall. The hub consists of two modest trailers; one for case management and the other a temporary solace for individuals. The site will cater to three to four individuals at any given time and is exclusively referred by SMPD, running a tight ship with no tolerance for loitering around the mobile units.
Funded by a grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections, SaMo Bridge enters the scene as a pilot meant to stretch across three years. While the interim zoning ordinance recently passed by the Santa Monica City Council allows for its current location by the Civic Auditorium, the program could be relocated if the area's discussions lead to different enterprises. Meanwhile, those seeking updates on SaMo Bridge's process can find FAQs and reports posted on the city's website, with the next community briefing scheduled for April 9 at the Human Services Commission meeting.
