Overview

The mission of the San Diego Police Department’s Neighborhood Policing Division (NPD) is to enhance the quality of life and safety in San Diego neighborhoods in a manner that is compassionate, professional and fair to all.

Help a Homeless Neighbor

If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

Homeless Outreach

The Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) provides community members experiencing homelessness a liaison to available social services.

The purpose of HOT is to provide an alternative to enforcement for those who find themselves in need of assistance and willing to accept help.

Intervention Services Team

The purpose of the Intervention Services Team is to address the most complex cases involving substance or mental health issues among individuals experiencing homelessness that require additional time and resources to find solutions that meet each person’s needs. The IST Team works closely with SDPD’s outreach and patrol teams, as well as various other homeless outreach teams operating within the city, to identify and assist those who may need a higher level of intervention.

In addition to the Serial Inebriate Program (SIP), the Intervention Services Team is responsible for liaising with the Recovery and Bridge Center (RBC, sobering center), the Lifesaving Intervention For Treatment (LIFT), California Community Assistance and Recovery Empowerment (CARE) court,  and the San Diego County Alternatives to Incarceration Committee.

Progressive Enforcement Model

NPD uses a “progressive enforcement” model to provide a consistent approach that is compassionate yet firm. Officers are trained to always offer shelter to individuals prior to taking enforcement action and continue to provide offers for shelter and services at each interaction.

The progressive enforcement model is only used in instances where individuals are in violation of the following:

• San Diego Municipal Code 63.0404 - Unauthorized Encampments on Public Property (referred to as "Unsafe Camping Ordinance")
• CA Penal Code § 647(e) – Illegal Lodging
• San Diego Municipal Code 54.0110 – Encroachment
• San Diego Municipal Code 63.0102 (b) (12) – Overnight Camping 

All other violations of the law will be applied to the same extent as all residents.

Diversion

San Diego offers a variety of alternatives to the criminal justice system for individuals who have committed certain offenses. Diversion programs include:

• Serial Inebriate Program (SIP) – for alcohol abusers
• Prosecution and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (PLEADS) – for narcotics abusers
• Serial Misdemeanants At-Risk Track (SMART) – for chronic misdemeanor offenders
• Partnering with the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) – for those with mental health issues

Community Response

NPD teams are paired with the City’s Clean SD crews to respond to encampment requests received through the City’s Get It Done mobile app to connect homeless individuals with services and clean up trash and debris. This is in addition to calls or emails for assistance that the team receives from community members, SDPD’s dispatch system and other City departments.