HOPE Team Provides Resources to Unhoused Individuals in Need in Yucaipa and Surrounding Area 

May 1, 2025 – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that the Community Service & Reentry Division's Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement (H.O.P.E.) Team, in collaboration with the San Bernardino County Probation Department, and the Department of Aging and Adult Services, conducted "Operation Shelter Me" in the city of Yucaipa, and surrounding communities. This operation aimed to connect unhoused community members with medical and mental health treatment services, and housing. During this operation, the H.O.P.E. Team focused on individuals with significant mental illnesses to link them with restorative mental health pathways.

Operation Highlights:

• The H.O.P.E. Team located 16 individuals experiencing homelessness.
• 13 individuals received referral information to assistance programs.
• One adult male was hospitalized for substance abuse and mental health treatment.

In June 2023, San Bernardino County opted into Laura's Law, also known as Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT). Laura's Law provides opportunities for court-ordered community treatment pathways for individuals with histories of hospitalization, incarceration, or violence. No individuals were identified as candidates for AOT during this operation.

The adult male subject who was identified as experiencing a significant mental health crisis and substance abuse issues was unable to provide for his own basic life sustaining needs and his condition would have been life threatening if he were left untreated and unhoused. The male was taken to a local hospital for medical intervention and a mental health assessment, under Senate Bill 43. 

The H.O.P.E. Team and other aligned resources will continue similar operations throughout the County over the next year, thanks to special "Community Concerns" funding, which was approved by the County Board of Supervisors to allow the Sheriff's Department to address homelessness and mental illness, for community members.

If you know of individuals experiencing homelessness who needs services, please contact the H.O.P.E. Team at (909) 387-0623 or hope@sbcsd.org.

DATE/TIME: April 25, 2025 / 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

INCIDENT: Outreach Operation

LOCATION: City of Yucaipa and Surrounding Communities   

Refer: The H.O.P.E. Team

Station: Community Service & Reentry Division

Phone No. (909) 387-0623

Source & photos: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department