Homeless outreach

COVID 19 has required that law enforcement make many adjustments. One of the significant areas of change is how we work with our unsheltered or homeless population in the City of Roseville. The Roseville Police Department currently has two problem oriented policing (POP) officers assigned to patrol the City’s parks, trails, and open space. Additionally we partner with Placer County Health and Human Services to employ two homeless outreach workers. This team works collaboratively with our homeless population to support those in need who seek resources to get off the street as well as those who decline resources.

Currently, under COVID19 Center for Disease Control guidance and State direction, law enforcement cannot actively remove individuals who camp in our open space because of fears regarding disease transmission. In addition there are significant recent legal rulings in both California State and Federal Courts which govern and restrict any enforcement regarding illegal camping.  Our regional partners in the California Highway patrol and Cal Trans are under similar conditions for illegal camps on state lands and right of way in our city

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Given the current restrictions, our POP officers and homeless outreach workers continue to stay engaged with the homeless community. We seek to clean-up abandoned camps, encourage the use of the State program Operation Room Key, encourage the use of the Gathering Inn(a local community partner), enforce major violations, and actively dissuade the use of open flames to reduce the risk of fire.  

If anyone has questions, comments, or concerns about our current strategy or restrictions, we encourage you to reach out to our Social Services Sergeant Dave Buelow at DBuelow@roseville.ca.us