Blog

I’m here at the National Sheriffs’​ Association #Sheriffs2022 getting checked-in. Hope to see you on Thursday at 9:15 AM in room 2209 for “The Top 10 Reasons to Start a Police Homeless Outreach Team (and How)”.
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What can you do when one homeless person consumes 13% of your fire/rescue/EMS calls? I’ll explain how the City of TreasureIsland, FL solved this problem at the National Sheriffs’​ Association Annual Conference in KC/MO. Over 60 educational opportunities spread out over 4 days: https://lnkd.in/e3k7-wsg Register at https://lnkd.in/ehXHJveZ
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I’m honored to have been selected to present on better law enforcement responses to homelessness at the National Sheriffs Association annual conference in KC/MO. If your agency is seeking effective solutions for homelessness that won’t get you sued, stop by and see me on June 30th at 9:15 AM. I will be available all week for private consultations. Please contact me at info@homelesspolice.com to check my availability. Register to attend Sheriffs2022 at https://bit.ly/3leo8Pk. Learn more and see the whole line-up at nsaconference.org.
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Dreams can come true! Six years ago today, I took homeless couple Rocky & Evelyn from a camp in the woods to a fairytale wedding, and ultimately to a home of their own (permanently ending their homelessness). This is what can happen when a community comes together to help those most in need (I as a police officer had a budget of zero for a wedding and arranged this entirely through the generosity of others). When I first met Rocky & Evelyn, I was impressed by how organized their camp was. And if they can manage this well in a camp,
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Navigating someone out of homelessness is difficult. As an example, the image above compares a flowchart of chronic homelessness with a flowchart of a nuclear reactor. No, this is not an optical illusion — you are seeing correctly. We have made a nuclear reactor simpler than the HUD definition of chronic homelessness! Navigating homeless clients through this complex maze of bureaucracy and red tape is why police homeless outreach teams (HOTs) are so effective: they work as system navigators to meet the needs of their clients while also reducing the burden on public resources.Please contact me (info@homelesspolice.com) if you would like
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Police continue to be the default response to homelessness in most communities. I am often asked if there are ways to improve their response, or should they “stay in their lane”? The key to an effective #homeless or #panhandling strategy involves shifting from crisis response mode to problem solving mode. Once your agency makes this leap, you start to save time and money while reducing calls for service and citizen complaints. In other words, if arresting away the problem has not worked (along with the threats of lawsuits), why not try a new approach…one that works? So where do you
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Police continue to be the default response to #homelessness in most communities. Many are asking if a police response if appropriate, or should they “stay in their lane”? An effective homeless or panhandling policy should move away from arresting away the problem (a last resort as this is a good way to get sued) to solving the problem. So where do you start? Contact me to book my very popular presentation (either on-site or remotely) “The Top 10 Reasons to Start a Police Homeless Outreach Team (and How)”. I have made this presentation at the International Association of Chiefs of
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Homelessness is an issue that transcends geographical, economic and political boundaries. In this edition of Homelessness Around the World, guest reporter Mohammad Javad Mousavizadeh checks in from Mashhad, Iran, the second-largest city in Iran, to highlight local efforts to house the homeless during winter: Mashhad Homeless Shelters Welcomes Who Want to Escape Cold Temperatures By Mohammad Javad Mousavizadeh With the drop in temperature, Mashhad Municipality opened its shelters doors for those with nowhere to go. For most of us, winter means snowball fights, skiing, and family gatherings, but it means brutal challenges and a dangerous situation for homeless people. In
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Are you going to IACP 2021 in New Orleans? Is your agency looking for better police responses to homelessness? My innovative solutions have been covered by People Magazine, the Today Show, the BBC and others. I am booking consultations in New Orleans…How can I help you? Click here to contact me or to book an appointment.
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I was honored to participate in a panel discussion with the Center for Court Innovation for the “Sharing the Solutions” series. We had an enlightening discussion on #homelessness, incarceration, re-entry and behavioral health. These webinars are made possible by the U.S. Office of Community Oriented Police Services (COPS), and offers timely discussions of current issues facing the criminal justice community (look for the release of this episode in the near future). As always, I am available for governments and police agencies seeking better responses to #homelessness, #panhandling and other issues affecting their community. Don’t forget that I am available for
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