Visit the Safety Resources for Businesses webpage and find a downloadable toolkit. Having a copy accessible, near a cashier or front desk, is highly recommended. The toolkit was developed by the Small Business Advisory Board and City staff. These resources can equip businesses to help keep their employees and customers safe and offer guidance on how one can approach quality-of-life issues.
How to Help an Individual Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis
If you witness an individual in need of mental health services, you can contact the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) for licensed mental health clinicians, case managers, and peer support specialists who can respond to behavioral health crisis calls that do not involve known threats of violence or medical emergencies. Call (888) 724-7240.
For potentially dangerous situations in which an individual poses an immediate threat to themselves or others, you are encouraged to contact 9-1-1. They have the capability of dispatching the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT). This program consists of licensed behavioral health clinicians, law enforcement officers, and paramedics.
Get It Done
The Get It Done App can be used for non-emergency reports only. For EMERGENCIES DIAL 9-1-1. For other Police-related non-emergency issues, call (619) 531-2000. Use this to report to submit a service request for Homeless Outreach or to report an Encampment. Reports are forwarded to Homeless Outreach Specialists, the Environmental Services Department and/or the Neighborhood Policing Division as appropriate. Please allow time for outreach and associated activities to occur. Business managers should avoid confrontation and keep a safe distance if they feel threatened in any way. If a business manager feels threatened or the individual becomes disruptive, call 911.
Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness
The Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department provides resources and information on services for people experiencing homelessness.
PATH San Diego has partnered with the City of San Diego to provide services to people experiencing homelessness in San Diego. PATH provides supportive services that include housing navigation, outreach, and employment services. They can be contacted by business managers or directly by people experiencing homelessness by phone at (619) 810-8600 or email at path@epath.org.
Business managers can suggest people experiencing homelessness to call 2-1-1 for resources and emergency support. 211 San Diego is a local nonprofit that provides assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by connecting people to community, health, and disaster resources.
Letter of Agency (Trespass Arrest Authorization)
A Letter of Agency (Trespass Arrest Authorization) allows the San Diego Police Department to enforce against anyone found on a property without the owner's consent or without lawful purpose. Recommended for vacant properties, vacant lots, businesses or any properties upon which public nuisance activity or crimes, including littering, defecating, drinking, drug activity, prostitution, graffiti or general trespass are occurring. Apply here for a Letter of Agency.