What Should I Do If I See An Individual or a Group of Individuals That Appear To Be Homeless?

---

Outreach and support services are available for people living on the streets and in other public places. If you know the location of a homeless person who needs assistance, you can request that an El Cajon Homeless Outreach Team (ECHOT) visits the person to encourage them to accept services. Our ECHOT consist of City personnel and partner agencies that help to engage with individuals currently experiencing homelessness and help them transition off the streets. To reach out to the City's homeless outreach team, call the El Cajon Police non-emergency number at 619-579-3311.

How Does The ECHOT Engage A Homeless Person In Need of Assistance?

---

Experienced outreach teams that consist of the El Cajon Police Department, Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA),Veterans Affairs, McAllister Institute, and Father Joe's Village make contact with people currently experiencing homelessness as part  of our citywide effort to identify and engage individuals  to encourage them to accept services, and ultimately help them transition off the streets. With no one-size-fits-all approach to ending homelessness, outreach teams effectively engage. Each of these individuals on a case by case, person by person basis. They evaluate the immediate and root causes contributing to their homelessness, continually offering a helping hand to develop the unique combination of services that will enable them to transition off the streets. Outreach teams build trust and relationships that ultimately encourages individuals to accept services.

What Happens If Someone Declines Help From The ECHOT?

---

Accepting outreach efforts, including services that will help people currently experiencing homelessness in El Cajon transition indoors from the streets, is voluntary, and it can take months of persistent and compassionate engagement to successfully connect individuals with services. We remain undeterred in our efforts to engage them, proactively offering assistance and services, until we make the connection that will help them transition off the streets. Our team continues to reach out to those currently experiencing homelessness to offer services and help them come indoors.

• If there's something that you're specifically concerned about, like trash or alley issues, submit a service request with a detailed description at www.cityofelcajon.gov/service or call 619-441-1658.

• If you run a local business and would like to connect with the local police about keeping the area safe, call El Cajon Police Non-Emergency 619-579-3311

• If there is suspicious activity going on, connect to officers in your neighborhood by calling the Police Dispatch at 619-579-3311 or visit www.elcajonpolice.org

• If there is a medical emergency or you feel threatened in any way, call 9-1-1.

Why Protect Your Property?

Protecting your property from unwelcomed trespassing increases the safety of your property and the community. Proactively preventing trespassing can reduce the risk of criminal activity, fires, illegal camping and lodging on your property and improve safety for your neighborhood and community.

How to Deter Trespassing

Trespassing is defined as entering the property of another without permission or the right to do so. Here are a number of ways to reduce trespassing:

For Residential Property:

·  Increase lighting

·  Maintain landscaping

·  Trim overgrown trees and bushes

·  Install landscaping that discourages sitting

·  Install fencing around the property

·  Post "No Trespassing" signs

·  Hire private security

For Vacant Residential Property:

·  Ask neighbors to monitor the property

·  Hire private security to monitor the property

·  Use timers to turn on indoor and outdoor lights

·  Maintain landscaping

·  Secure trash or recycling containers

 For Commercial Properties:

·  Lock dumpsters, trash and recycle bins

·  Design public spaces to discourage misuse

·  Have plants at sidewalk level. Raised planters should be at least 4′ high and uncomfortable for seating

·  Post and enforce rules of conduct for public use

·  Install surveillance cameras to cover public areas

·  Do not offer food or money. It may encourage more panhandling. If you are encouraged to help the homeless, it is better to contribute to local charities, missions, food banks, or social service organizations. For more information on where to donate visit www.echtf.org

 Note: 

Some improvements to lighting, landscaping, and fencing are subject to certain Municipal Code standards. Please check with the City’s Planning team before making improvements at 619-441-1742 or email at planning@elcajon.gov

Is My Property Eligible for Enforcement?

What Is Illegal Lodging?

If the individual is sleeping or setting up camp on the property and the property owner, agent, or representative did not authorize them to be there, an illegal lodging violation exists. 

Section 647E of the California Penal Code states that to prosecute under this section the criteria is anyone:

1.  Who lodges in any building, structure, vehicle, or place, whether public or private, without the permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession or in control of it.

Regular law enforcement interaction is often not realistic, but scheduling periodic meeting with tenants and law enforcement can be helpful to discuss preventive solutions and education towards long term solutions. These solutions include organizations which track homeless individuals to help solve their situations, which may connect them with community outreach programs.

Properties That Can File An Illegal Lodging Form

• Properties that are closed to the general public at all times. For example, undeveloped land and/or vacant commercial properties.
• Commercial properties that are closed during certain hours can file an Illegal Lodging Form limited to the hours when the business is closed.
• Vacant residential properties. This is a single family residence (private home) only.

Do You Think Your Property Is Eligible For Enforcement?

Click here to file an Illegal Lodging Enforcement Letter or for more information call Samantha Tackett at (619) 441-5526.