NCJ Number
206340
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 28 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2004 Pages: 30-32,34
Date Published
June 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article offers advice for law enforcement officers on dealing appropriately with the homeless population.
Abstract
Police officers across the country are overwhelmed with the complexities of dealing with the homeless population, many of whom are transient and mentally ill. In Los Angeles County, the Sheriff’s Department has teamed up with the mental health community to form Crisis Response Units that team police officers with mental health counselors to respond to events involving homeless persons. Manhattan’s Midtown District uses a similar approach in its Street Outreach Services (SOS), which teams NYPD officers with social workers to reach out to low-level offenders, including homeless persons. Teaming up with mental health and social workers has provided officers with new perspectives on mental illness and homelessness and valuable lessons have emerged from these partnerships. Rather than relying on the letter of the law, these response teams rely on the spirit of the law and attempt to diffuse volatile situations without the use of force. Moreover, the cooperation of mental health agencies and police agencies has resulted in homeless mentally ill persons receiving the care they need, rather than continuing through the revolving door of incarceration and homelessness. The article reviews tips on interaction with homeless persons, such as the importance of maintaining a personal distance of at least 20 feet from the individual because the homeless population has a higher incidence of paranoia. Maintaining a distance allows homeless individuals to feel less threatened, as well as increasing the safety of the officers. Tips are also offered for the best way to approach homeless persons and for getting reliable witness information. Finally, legal options for dealing with homeless persons differ in different jurisdictions, but most cities have a law allowing officers to order help for homeless persons who are unable to help themselves.