San Bernardino County Supervisors enact Laura’s Law to reduce crime and homelessness
San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to enact Laura’s Law, which opens the way for court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment.
Tuesday's move is designed to improve outcomes for those with mental illnesses, enhance public safety, and reduce the number of homeless residents, county officials said.
“By taking this action, we are strengthening the partnership between county behavioral health, the sheriff, and the county’s entire law and justice system to ensure the wellbeing and rights of all of our residents, including the mentally ill, are served and protected,” said Supervisor Dawn Rowe in a written statement.
Laura’s Law is a state statute named after a woman who was one of three people killed in Nevada County by a person suffering mental illness, who was not following his prescribed mental health treatment.
The legislation established an option for counties to utilize courts, probation, and mental health systems to address the needs of individuals unable to participate in community mental health treatment programs without supervision.
“I appreciate the unanimous support of the Board of Supervisors to take today’s meaningful step to address the human component of our current mental health crisis and its associated effects,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said. “I look forward to working with all our county partners as we collaboratively develop and implement solutions.”
Dicus reports that the vast majority of the mentally ill homeless residents encountered by his Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement team don’t understand they are mentally ill and therefore resist help.
Laura’s Law will allow for court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment for those with severe mental illnesses who have a history of hospitalizations, incarceration and violence.
High Desert homeless
San Bernardino County experienced a 26% increase in homelessness in the past year, according to the The Homeless Point in Time Count.
More than 76.9% or 3,226 of the 4,195 homeless adults and children living in the county were counted within Barstow, Victorville, Colton, Fontana, Ontario, Redlands, and San Bernardino
Nearly 44.1% of unsheltered adults were chronically homeless, which is defined as being homeless for one year or more and having a disabling condition such as mental illness, chronic health condition, or physical disability.
The report revealed a total increase over last year of 235 homeless people or 35% among the cities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia, Phelan/Pinon Hills, and Victorville.
Victorville topped this year’s High Desert homeless chart with 607 people, an increase of 152 or 33% over last year. Barstow reported 154 homeless, an increase of 51 people or 50%. Hesperia had 64 homeless people, an increase of 11 people or 21%, according to the report.
Adelanto reported 35 homeless people, an increase of 10 or 40%. Apple Valley also reported 35 homeless people, an increase of 8 or 30%. Phelan/Pinon Hills recorded four homeless people.
In Victorville, 74 people, or 34.9% categorized themselves as chronically homeless, with 94, or 44.3% saying they were homeless for the first time in 12 months.
'A mental health problem'
Homelessness is, in large part, a mental health problem, Supervisor Paul Cook said.
"This action recognizes that reality and gives law enforcement and the courts new tools and resources to ensure that our chronically homeless get the mental health services they need,” he said.
To ensure the local implementation of Laura’s Law is successful, supervisors approved the addition of 18 positions to behavioral health, the sheriff’s department, and the public defender’s office to counsel, treat, and protect the rights of potentially hundreds of new clients.
“The reality is we need to approach this from all angles, including a humanitarian perspective and not having a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez. “Homelessness and mental health are issues that continue to be close to my heart. I believe that Laura’s Law is one of many actions we will take in partnership with our Sheriff to move forward and help those who cannot help themselves.”
Results
A report by the California Department of Health Care Services found during the 2019-20 fiscal year in 15 counties had adopted Laura’s Law:
Of eligible individuals, 72% responded to the initial invitation for voluntary services and did not require a court petition. The participating counties attributed this to successful initial outreach and engagement.
Additionally, 30% of people were able to secure employment or participated in employment or educational services.
Homelessness decreased by 32%.
Hospitalization decreased by 40%.
Contact with law enforcement decreased by 42%.
Victimization decreased by 72%.
Violent behavior decreased by 63%.
Substance abuse was reduced by 21%.
“The vote by the board of supervisors provides additional tools to assist people and families dealing with mental illness,” Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman said. “This step provides compassion and treatment options to people who need support.”
This week’s action is the latest step taken by the board in the fight against homelessness.
In March, the board agreed to leverage $72.7 million in federal, state and county resources to support the county’s landmark Homeless Strategic Action Plan, which was adopted last year.
“The implementation of Laura’s Law in San Bernardino County holds the promise of achieving measurable progress in addressing homelessness and two of its root causes – mental illness and substance abuse,” Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr said.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Laura’s Law enacted in San Bernardino County to reduce crime, homelessness
