SJ CARES and Local Law Enforcement Agencies Work Together to Conduct Homeless Outreach

The SJ CARES team recently partnered with the Stockton Police Department (SPD) and AB109 Task Force. Utilizing the SPD’s off-road vehicles, the team was able to reach individuals who are typically difficult to access deep in the slough. The AB109 Task Force encountered a wanted individual who was arrested for an outstanding warrant. Through a joint effort, probation officers arrived and transported the client to the county jail, allowing SPD to focus on their patrol duties.

In addition to their work in the Mormon Slough area, SJ CARES and SPD have been providing services to unhoused individuals in local parks throughout Stockton. While offering services, public safety remains a top priority. Probation Officers on the SJ CARES team located a client with a no bail warrant and were able to quickly contact and arrest him, ensuring public safety in the parks.

The team has also been collaborating with the Lodi Police Department (LPD), California Highway Patrol, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, and Community-Based Organizations to conduct outreach on Highway 99 and Turner Road for the past three weeks. During this time, an unhoused couple was contacted and initially refused services. As they continued to see the work being done by SJ CARES, they eventually agreed to participate in a substance abuse program. They even requested before and after photos to document their journey and eventually share their story.

In addition to outreach near Turner Road, the team assisted LPD with outreach near the Grape Festival location, making contact with numerous individuals to offer services and assist with cleanup efforts.

SJ CARES continues to work closely with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office to conduct outreach. Most recently, their focus has been on reaching out to individuals residing on islands in the Stockton area. Through their partnership with the Sheriff’s Office and their boating unit, SJ CARES team members were able to access the hard-to-reach outlying areas. Although tents and structures were found during their initial visit, no individuals were present. Plans are underway to revisit these locations in the near future.

Additionally, SJ CARES has met with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and addressed safety concerns for the unhoused community living near active train tracks. Plans to collaborate and develop strategies to enhance safety measures were discussed and will continue to be addressed.

These are just a few highlights of the incredible work being done with our local law enforcement partners. We are dedicated to connecting more and more unhoused individuals on a daily basis and will continue to collaborate with our partner agencies to address homelessness within all jurisdictions in San Joaquin County.

For more information about the SJ CARES program, visit sjcprobation.org/SJCARES

To contact our team directly, or to make a referral please email SJCARES@sjgov.org

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