Palm Springs Police share new approach to decreasing homelessness and illegal camping

The Palm Springs Police Department said Thursday it is transitioning from Operation Relentless Sun into Operation Restore Hope.

Relentless Sun was a three-part plan. The first step was counting and understanding the depth of the homeless problem, and the second step was offering people resources at every encounter.

News Channel 3: What is the difference between Operation Relentless Sun and Operation Restore Hope?

Chief Andrew Mills: "Well, to transition, we've gone from telling people that we want to know who they are offering resources through pamphlets and so forth, and then doing a lot of enforcement. Now, Operation Restore Hope is, finally, it's here, here's your opportunity to take a bed, here's your opportunity to get into housing to get help. And what we're telling them is, now's the time. And if you don't, there's the consequences. You might be cited and or arrested."

News Channel 3: Now, there is a limit on beds available. 55 beds, so if they're full, what do they do?

Chief Andrew Mills: "Well, they're going to have to make sure they get over to the Access Center and get in line for those beds. And then, to remind people, we have another 85 beds coming online in June. So we really want people to get into positions where they can help themselves. We will transition the people in these current beds over to the other side, permanent stationary supportive housing from these beds. So this is the opportunity, man; if you're homeless or struggling, now's the time, not tomorrow."

In a recent YouTube clip, the Palm Springs Police Department shared some data regarding their efforts in Operation Relentless Sun. The video shows 700+ arrested, 22 deceased, 20+ housed, 40 in emergency shelters, and 33 people reunited with family.

"The main thing is I'd like to go from 700 arrests dealing with homeless individuals to zero," says Chief Mills. The goal is to help them get housed. So, we want to be sensitive at the same time. We want to be firm that this is no longer acceptable in our beautiful city."

With Operation Restore Hope, people can check into the early entry facility portion of the Navigation Center or could be at risk of getting cited or arrested for illegal camping. The impact team that went out to share resources hopes the new approach will get people out of the washes. To be clear, the center will not be fully open until this summer.

Chief Andy Mills pointed out that his team members have all "done an amazing job helping us reduce the number of people living on the streets here in Palm Springs. Because of their efforts, we have reduced the number from over 330+ homeless to about 150 homeless." He shares that they can now transition to Operation Restore Hope because of their work.