Operation Shelter Me connects with more than 90 people experiencing homelessness

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*San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department teams and partner agencies conducted Operation Shelter Me in Rancho Cucamonga.*

The Community Service and Reentry Division’s Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement (H.O.P.E.) Team and Innovative Remote On-site Assistance Delivery Teams recently conducted Operation Shelter Me in Rancho Cucamonga in partnership with the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station’s Multiple Enforcement Team, Solution Oriented Policing, and the San Bernardino County Probation Department. This operation aimed to connect unhoused residents with staff and services, including housing, medical and mental health treatment, while addressing community safety concerns.

On Nov. 5, 2024, California voters passed Proposition 36, titled “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act.” The proposition took effect on Dec. 18, 2024, and reforms multiple laws from Proposition 47, which have been responsible for increasing homelessness, drug addiction and theft. Proposition 36 includes several new Penal and Health and Safety Code provisions that deputies can apply during arrests when appropriate. These latest charges can carry enhanced sentencing and prevent offenders from being cited and released before their court appearance.

During this operation, the teams focused on individuals with significant mental illnesses to link them with restorative mental health pathways. The results of the operation, including instances in which Proposition 36 was applied, are as follows:

Approximately 95 individuals currently experiencing homelessness were contacted by deputies.

10 individuals accepted referral information to assistance programs
61 individuals refused referral information to assistance programs
4 individuals were arrested for their in-county misdemeanor warrants
2 individuals were arrested for their in-county felony warrants
1 individual was arrested for HS 11377(a) – Possession of a controlled substance, & HS 11350(a) – Possession of fentanyl
8 individuals were arrested for HS 11364 – Possession of drug paraphernalia
1 individual was arrested for PC 459 – Felony commercial burglary
3 individuals were arrested for PC 602 – Trespassing onto private property
1 individual was arrested for PC 647(f) – Public intoxication
1 individual was arrested for PC 372 – Public nuisance
1 individual was arrested for PC 1203.2 – Violation of probation terms
1 individual was arrested for PC 69 – Felony obstruction of a peace officer
1 individual was arrested for a city of Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code violation for possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in public

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, approved by the county Board of Supervisors. This funding allows the Sheriff’s Department to address topics of concern, such as homelessness, mental illness and community safety for county residents. All subjects arrested during the operation are contacted in the county jail by the Sheriff’s Transitional Assistance Reentry Team (S.T.A.R.T.) and are offered additional resources and reentry services.

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

Additional County Update News – August 20, 2026