The County Sheriff’s Office has formed a new team of deputies to deal with the homeless and their legal and health issues.
Sgt. Tony Perry announced the formation of a new, “Community Action Team” or CAT, created by the Sheriff and the Board of Supervisors and launched on April 13.
“The purpose of CAT is to focus two deputy Sheriff’s solely on homelessness issues in the unincorporated areas of the county,” Sgt. Perry said. “The team’s goal is to recognize homeless individuals who are frequently contacted by patrol deputies, focusing assistance on drugs/alcohol dependencies, mental health issues, and referrals to treatment programs aimed at reducing their recidivism in our county jail and the criminal justice system.”
The two CAT deputies will liaison with agencies that are partnering with the Sheriff’s Office in the program — Transitions Mental Health Association, Homeless Services Oversight Council, SLO County Behavioral Health Services, SLO County Probation Department, SLO County Veteran’s Outreach Program and Community Action Partners.
To find out more about the program and to request assistance for homeless people living in the unincorporated area of SLO County, call (805) 788-2151.
On April 19, CAT Team deputies Ron Slaughter and Toby Depew took part in the Annual Baskets of Love Program delivering 1,000 Easter baskets to homeless children in SLO County. “Baskets of Love” was started by Joy Danley.
