FOR ROSEMONT NEIGHBORS AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
As you see more and more people experiencing homelessness throughout our community, you may be wondering what you should do in response.
There are some strategies that you could take into consideration with regard to homeless people and the encampments you encounter. There are also some things that you should avoid doing when encountering these issues.
Protect Your Property
Review your home security:
- Cameras and motion sensor lights around the perimeter of your property
- Alarm system covering doors and windows
- Motion sensors within your home
- “No Trespassing” signs at different locations around the perimeter of your property
Report to Law Enforcement
Filing a report is extremely important. Crime and incident statistics are gathered to determine what areas in the county need services. The number of reports that are filed in our neighborhood can be an indicator of how much assistance is needed.
- For emergencies: Dial 911, if there is an immediate threat to life or safety.
- For non-emergencies, call 916-874-5115.
- You can also file an online report with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department. https://www.sacsheriff.com/Pages/Services/ReportCrime.aspx
- If you do observe a crime being committed by a homeless individual or criminal activity at or around a homeless encampment, you have an immediate reason to contact the police or sheriff. Depending on the nature of the crime you observe, you may be able to get a relatively rapid response from law enforcement.
In California, if you observe someone committing a misdemeanor, you can contact law enforcement. A misdemeanor is a more minor type of crime. When you are dealing with homeless individuals or a homeless encampment, these types of crimes include trespassing, public intoxication, public urination.
If you report that you’ve witnessed a crime to the sheriff, an officer will be dispatched to your location. You will be asked to sign off on an arrest warrant. You will also need to promise that you will appear and testify in the prosecution of the person for whom you participated in making a citizen’s arrest.
You are not allowed to take a person into custody or restrain them in any way. All of that is up to law enforcement.
Take Photos and Video
If you observe a crime being committed by a homeless individual or a suspicious vehicle parked on your street, take a picture or video to supplement your report. It will give law enforcement a better idea of suspects and vehicles to watch out for. At the same time, be aware of your own safety. People may not take kindly to their picture being taken.
Homeless Older Adults
If you encounter an older homeless person, consider contacting Adult Protective Services. This agency is under the auspices of the California Department of Social Services.
Adult Protective Services (APS) is a state-mandated service program charged with investigating situations involving elderly and dependent adults who are reported to be in danger due to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or hazardous or unsafe living conditions. For Sacramento County, call 916-874-9377.
WHAT NOT TO DO
No matter how badly you feel about a homeless individual’s situation, one thing you should AVOID doing is to hand them cash or give them jobs to do around your house in exchange for money. Do not take food to a homeless encampment. It only enables them to stay, and could put you or your property at risk. If you want to help, make a financial contribution to an organization that serves the needs of people who are experiencing homelessness. You can also donate to a local food bank. An array of reputable organizations exists that strive to assist homeless individuals in Sacramento County.
REGISTER YOUR HOME CAMERAS WITH S.E.E. – Sheriff’s Electronic Eye
The S.E.E. Program allows citizens and business owners to register the locations of their video surveillance systems with the Sheriff’s Department. When a crime occurs, the Sheriff’s Department will be able to identify the locations of video surveillance systems and enlist the assistance of citizens to help the Sheriff’s Department collect video evidence. Using the geographic locations of the registered cameras, the Sheriff’s Department will be able to directly e-mail citizens in an area in which a crime occurred. The Sheriff’s Department will reach out to citizens and ask them to check their video surveillance system for a specific date and time of when the crime occurred in hopes of capturing footage of the suspect, getaway car or the crime itself. If the citizen finds any video evidence, they can contact the Sheriff’s S.E.E. Program to make arrangements for video retrieval. You can register for this program by clicking this link: https://www.sacsheriff.com/Pages/SEE/SEE.aspx
HOUSING RESOURCES
Next Move Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center
4516 Parker Ave., Sacramento, 916-455-2160
Salvation Army Shelter Emergency Lodge Sacramento
1200 N B St., Sacramento, 916-443-1088
Union Gospel Mission
400 Bannon St., Sacramento, 916-447-3268
Volunteers of America Residential Family Center
470 Bannon Street, Sacramento, 916-443-4688
Volunteers of America Housing and Shelter Services
3434 Marconi Avenue, Sacramento, 916-443-4688
Volunteers of America Mather Community Campus
3587 Bleckely St., Mather, 916-228-3100
https://www.voa-ncnn.org/mather-community-campus
Volunteers of America Winter Triage Center
2040 Railroad Drive, Sacramento, 916-917-3965
Francis House Center Family Shelter
1422 C Street, Sacramento, 916-454-2120
Loaves & Fishes
1351 North C. St., Sacramento, 916-446-0874
St. John’s Program for Real Change (women/children)
Undisclosed location, Sacramento, 916-453-1482
Malachi’s
Undisclosed location, Sacramento, 916-576-9679
Volunteers of America – Open Arms (persons with HIV or living with AIDS)
1900 Point West Way #270, Sacramento, 916-451-1691
Rancho Cordova HART
11223 Trinity River Dr., Rancho Cordova
Second Chance Transitional Housing
8934 Madison Ave., Fair Oaks, 916-961-2691
www.clean-and-sober-living.com
Sacramento Steps Forward
1331 Garden Hwy., Ste. 100, Sacramento, 916-577-9770
FOOD RESOURCES
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
3333 3rd Ave., Sacramento. 916-456-1980
2469 Rio Linda Blvd., Sacramento, 916-648-8729
California Emergency Foodlink
5800 Foodlink St., Sacramento, 916-387-9000
Elevation Holy Cross
9000 Jackson Rd., Sacramento, 916-364-8068
Capital Christian Center
9470 Micron Avenue, Sacramento,
Cordova Community Food Locker
10497 Coloma Rd., Rancho Cordova, 916-364-8973
sjvparish.com/serve/cordova-community-food-locker
Elk Grove Food Bank
9820 Dino Drive, Suite 140, Elk Grove, 916-685-8453
Global Food Bank
8477 Old Ranch Rd., Orangevale, 916-387-9000
Twin Lakes Food Bank Inc.
327 Montrose Dr. Ste. A, Folsom, 916-985-6232