Sheriff's HOPE Team offers services to 20 unhoused residents of Victor Valley

Sheriff's deputies scoured Victor Valley to find unhoused people and offer them services Friday under San Bernardino County's "Operation Shelter Me" campaign, authorities said.

The effort was carried out by San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement, or HOPE, Team, in the unincorporated county areas of Victor Valley according to the agency.

The team encountered 20 people living on the streets, sheriff's officials said in a written statement . All were provided referrals to programs and other forms of assistance.

"Six individuals were linked with follow-up professional services," the statement said. "While service capacity is limited, the teams will continue to work with this population to get them into services as they become available."

One person was identified as a possible candidate for court-mandated outpatient mental health treatment under Laura's Law, which San Bernardino County enacted in 2023, officials said.

The law allows for people with histories of hospitalization or incarceration, as well of histories of violence, to be ordered to attend treatment by a judge.

"Operation Shelter Me aims to connect staff with unhoused residents and offer them housing, medical and mental health treatment services," according to the sheriff's department statement. "During this operation, the team focused on those with the most significant mental illness to get those individuals linked to restorative mental health pathways."

The program is paid for with special "Community Concerns" funds allocated by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

More: After high court ruling, Newsom orders state officials to dismantle homeless encampments

Those who know someone experiencing homelessness and needs help can contact the HOPE Team at 909-387-0623, or by email at hope@sbcsd.org .

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Sheriff's HOPE Team offers services to 20 unhoused residents of Victor Valley