Los Angeles Sheriff’s Outreach Program Providing Support to the Homeless Population

In Rosemead, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, in cooperation with several other county agencies, took to the streets to connect unhoused people to shelters and services.

LASD’s Temple Station deputies and the department’s Homeless Outreach Services team were engaged in the initiative alongside LA County Probation and the Los Angeles Center for Drug and Alcohol Abuse in an effort to provide ” comprehensive support, including mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and housing assistance,” an LASD press release states.

“Nobody gets better in a homeless encampment,” Lt. Bill Kitchin told KTLA’s John Fenoglio. “From day one, their health deteriorates while they are there. »

These specially trained deputies, along with their partner agencies, work to get homeless residents help if they want it.

At a homeless encampment in Rosemead, MP Chris Lewis highlighted dangerous living conditions.

“Someone lives over there on that mattress,” he said. “You can actually see the state this encampment is in. It’s not a safe environment for anyone.”

There are, however, those living on the streets, like a man identified only as Gilbert, who don’t want help.

“I’d rather wrestle here,” he said. “I don’t like shelters. I don’t even like the neighbors. It’s a little too loose for me.

According to the latest data from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, there are 75,518 unhoused residents in Los Angeles County. In Rosemead, city officials say there has been an increase in crime committed by the unhoused population.

“We want to make sure they understand that we are here to try to support them while supporting our communities,” said Rep. Lewis.

A 17-year LASD veteran, Lewis says he and his team typically encounter homeless residents struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues.

During Monday’s outreach, the deputy encountered a man named Donald, who was sleeping in the park. When Lewis offered to help, Donald accepted it.

“It’s definitely going to be a success,” he said. “You could see Donald was already letting you know he had mental health issues. By coming here and connecting with him, we were able to provide him with some of these mental health resources.

Despite the obstacles, Congressman Lewis said raising awareness about the homeless has been truly rewarding.

“The truth is we have the opportunity and the time to truly help our communities,” he said. “You’ll see when we go out and talk to these people. We spend a little more time with them to find out what their biggest concern is and what we can do to help.

Lewis added that the reward is seeing a person leave the streets to get housing or reconnect with family and get back to life.