HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 10/11/2016 - UPDATE ON HOMELESSNESS/TRANSIENT-RELATED ISSUESDATE:
STAFF:
October 11, 2016
Beth Sowder, Director of Social Sustainability
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Jackie Kozak-Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
John Hutto, Police Chief
Mike Trombley, Police Lieutenant
WORK SESSION ITEM
City Council
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Update on Homelessness/Transient-Related Issues.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to reflect on the summer’s activities, discuss plans for the upcoming winter season,
and provide an update on work that will occur in preparation for next spring/summer. The City Manager is
convening a meeting to explore options for next summer season.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Does Council have any questions about reports from this summer?
2. Does Council have any feedback about plans for winter and next spring/summer?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
In an effort to understand the work being done, issues and impacts of behaviors downtown, and plans for
changes and coordination for next spring/summer, this work session will reflect on this summer’s activities
regarding homelessness, transient/traveler issues, and enforcement efforts for criminal behaviors. Additionally,
plans for this upcoming winter season will be discussed as well as preparation for next spring/summer. The
primary programs and efforts to be discussed include:
Outreach Fort Collins
Police Enforcement Activities
Safe Place to Rest (Room in the Inn shelter model)
Severe weather emergency plan
Reflect on Summer 2016 Activities
Outreach Fort Collins
Outreach Fort Collins (OFC) began operation on June 14, 2016 (See Attachment 1 for full OFC report). Since
then, the OFC team has done the following:
Days of Service: 73
Total Contacts: 873
Unduplicated Contacts: 337
Merchant Staff Contacts: 78
Merchant Locations Contacted: 52
Service Agencies Contacted: 34
Reasons for contact vary significantly but are primarily verbal check-ins with people; others include safety
concerns, service coordination, conflict, criminal behavior, and welfare checks. The total number of contacts has
October 11, 2016 Page 2
significantly increased each month since OFC began operation, and the number of homeless/vulnerable person
contacts has actually decreased while merchant contacts have increased in September, reflecting seasonal
trends in travelers vs. local populations. OFC’s vast majority of complaint calls are in reference to a small
subsection of service resistant Fort Collins residents whom are experiencing homelessness and have been living
in Fort Collins consistently, contrary to the belief that the issues arising are only a result of the traveling
population.
OFC is seeing continuing growth in the number of merchant contacts, as well as other contacts, reflecting that
their work with the non-homeless/vulnerable person community is increasing.
The impact of OFC has been significant as demonstrated by the specific personal stories described in the full
report (Attachment 1) including:
Connecting a 30-year homeless veteran with services, thus getting him off the street
Connecting an individual in severe need of substance abuse treatment with services
Reducing behavioral complaints around a specific problematic individual while simultaneously gaining a
trusting relationship with this person who now advocates for OFC
Connected client with needed medical services who is now working on options for permanent housing and
treatment for substance abuse
Police Services Data
Fort Collins Police Services experienced a 48% increase in calls this summer for “transient calls” - 33% of those
calls were in the Old Town area and 67% were in other places in the city. There was an increase this year in
charges filed for criminal behavior from June thru August.
Below is a summary of citations vs. bookings during the spring/summer months for 2014, 2015, and 2016:
2014 2015 2016
MONTH BOOK CITE BOOK CITE BOOK CITE
May 15 135 18 78 24 95
Jun 28 117 29 97 33 134
Jul 24 125 33 101 33 143
Aug 22 132 35 103 34 158
Sep 19 105 35 69 31 89
TOTAL 108 614 150 448 155 619
Plans for Upcoming Winter Season
A Safe Place to Rest (ASPTR)
Homelessness in the winter months presents difficult challenges for individuals who are without a safe place to
stay and must face the coldest nights of the year outside. Even with the existing shelter infrastructure and their
winter overflow programs, there were nights where individuals were turned away this past season. This is both an
issue of capacity and of flexibility for special needs and dynamic population numbers.
ASPTR is modeled after the 30-year successful Room in the Inn (RITI) in Nashville, TN. Nashville has a
population of about 680,000 and a 2014 point in time homelessness count of 2,301. The RITI program provided
32,000 shelter beds, housed over 1,200 individual guests, and provided 64,000 meals during the 2014-2015
winter months. Fort Collins will pilot a version of this model this winter season. The pilot was recently branded as
“A Safe Place to Rest” (ASPTR) to demonstrate the focus of this program, which is to provide additional, flexible,
and equitable shelter during the coldest months of the year.
October 11, 2016 Page 3
The ASPTR is a partnership between the City and various faith-based and non-profit organizations, service
providers, and local institutions including Catholic Charities, St. Josephs Parish/Knights of Columbus, the Geller
Center at Colorado State University, UC Health, Homeless Gear, PEAK Community Church, and others.
Volunteers will provide support for the overnight stays at different sites and transportation to and from the
shelters. More than two dozen organizations have expressed interest in helping in some way from volunteer
recruitment to donating materials.
This kind of model offers flexible options to provide shelter sites during the winter months. As a community-based
approach, the City acts as a convener to bring various organizations and volunteers together and to establish a
rotating schedule for additional facility sites that can serve to house individuals during the winter months. This
takes pressure off of the existing shelter sites and provides additional options to address community-wide
challenges.
This program is supported as a part of the “Homelessness Initiatives” 2017-2018 BFO offer in the City Manager’s
recommended budget. Additional support will be provided by the community partners and volunteers through
direct and in-kind contributions.
The timeline for this program is from November through April in alignment with the local shelter providers’
established winter overflow season. Rotating facility sites will be available each night during this time period.
Training sessions for volunteers, organized by Catholic Charities, will occur in October with monthly trainings
throughout the season. A pilot evaluation for this program will begin in May to determine outcomes and needed
improvement to be considered for the possibility of renewing for the 2017-2018 winter season.
Severe Weather Shelter Plan
Due to the confusion and last-minute scrambling during some of the winter storms last year, staff has worked
during the spring and summer months to develop a shelter/service plan for severe weather events. See
Attachment 3 for the full plan.
The plan provides for extra shelter space and services (such as transportation) during winter events that carry the
National Weather Service’s “warning” tag. Qualifying events include Winter Storm, Blizzard, and Wind Chill
Warnings. These warnings can be narrowly tailored to Fort Collins and indicate that severe weather is eminent,
unlike watches or forecasts. While winter storm and blizzard watches are valuable indicators of what may happen,
given the volatile nature of Colorado weather, the warning gives the best indication to activate the plan. Staff
researched how other communities such as Denver, Nashville, and Burlington determine when to trigger an
emergency plan.
When activated, the severe weather plan will allow for additional beds, through partners such as established
overflow shelters and those participating in A Safe Place to Rest. Additionally, staff is working with partner
organizations to provide transportation to shelter sites and also to increase the availability of warming centers
during the day and evening hours during these events.
Community members seeking shelter during these events will make their way to one of the two permanent
shelters as they would do any other night. The goal for the upcoming winter season is that during these severe
events, those seeking shelter will be provided with a place to rest.
The City Manager’s Office will notify City Leaders and community partners of the activation of this plan after
receiving notification of a severe weather warning from the Office of Emergency Management or another credible
source.
Police Services
The winter season has historically brought a sharp decrease in the number of transient/homeless interactions due
to unlawful behavior. Police Services will continue to be proactive in identifying areas with recurring issues and
responding appropriately. In addition to enforcement activity, officers also play an important role in disseminating
information in support of other City initiatives. As a frequent primary point of contact with the homeless/transient
October 11, 2016 Page 4
population, officers will reinforce expectations of conduct, but also be able to provide information regarding shelter
locations and availability, details regarding A Safe Place to Rest, and access to other services.
Outreach Fort Collins
During the winter months, OFC will:
Further develop relationships with service providers, especially emergency shelter and day services (Fort
Collins Rescue Mission, Catholic Charities, and A Safe Place to Rest)
Continue efforts with local merchants to deescalate and resolve conflicts while also providing them with
information regarding accessing emergency services
Continue developing relationships with homeless and vulnerable individuals
Collaborate with the Murphy Center and Homeless Gear around service provision
Coordinate with UC Health to provide appropriate discharge plans and options for individuals
experiencing homelessness
Coordinate with Police Services District One officers regarding trends, including high response areas and
individuals who may need help accessing emergency shelter
Meeting with Community Partners to Explore Options
The City Manager convened a meeting on October 4 to discuss summer 2016 and explore options for next
spring/summer in order to increase effectiveness of enforcement efforts for criminal behaviors. The meeting
included City staff, Sheriff’s Office, business representatives, and service providers. Outcomes of that meeting
will be provided at the work session.
Preparation for Next Spring/Summer
Outreach Fort Collins
In preparation for next spring and summer, OFC has developed the following goals and objectives (more
discussion and potential goals may develop over the winter):
Develop processes to streamline access to services, especially for service-resistant and high-vulnerability
individuals
Maintain and increase OFC connectedness to merchants, visitors, police, and City stakeholders
Develop, distribute, and inform stakeholders on OFC program, including viable options for basic needs
items through service providers, clarification on the legality of specific behaviors, and appropriate
responses to conflict
Reduce frequency of calls to Police Dispatch and Emergency Services in response to non-illegal, non-
emergency conflicts and/or situations
Increase positive perception of downtown Fort Collins as safe and enjoyable for all
Police Services
The transition to warmer weather historically drives an increase in the transient population, and a corresponding
increase in complaints regarding unlawful behavior. Police Services will maintain an intentional focus on
impacting these behaviors through:
Analysis of “hot spot” geographic areas of concern and emerging trends
Seasonal increase in proactive patrol capacity through allocation of existing personnel and use of
overtime
Continued foot and bicycle patrols in a primarily proactive role
Ongoing emphasis of direct reporting of concerns to FCPS
Leveraging of growing infrastructure (OFC collaboration, prosecution/sentencing options, etc.)
October 11, 2016 Page 5
ATTACHMENTS
1. Outreach Fort Collins Summer 2016 Report (PDF)
2. Letter and Email Supporting Outreach Fort Collins (PDF)
3. Emergency Overflow Shelter Plan (PDF)
4. Powerpoint presentation (PDF)
1
Outreach Fort Collins Summer 2016 Recap:
Days of Service: 73
Total Contacts: 873
Unduplicated Contacts: 337
Merchant Staff Contacted: 78
Merchant Locations Contacted: 52
Service Agencies Contacted: 34
Homeless/At-Risk,
644, 74%
Merchant, 122, 14%
Police, 41, 5%
Service Providers, 40,
4%
Other, 25, 3%
Contacts By Type, Summer 2016
Homeless/At-Risk Merchant Police Service Providers Other
Outreach Team
686
79%
Merchant
81
9%
Police
35
4%
Person In Need
27
3%
Other (Service
Providers; City
Employees)
43
5%
Who Initiated Contact
Outreach Team Merchant Police Person In Need Other (Service Providers; City Employees)
ATTACHMENT 1
2
The “other” category reflects calls, e-mails, or requests from Service Providers and City
Employees
This reflects the catalyst for the outreach team interacting with various stakeholders- including street,
phone, and e-mail contacts.
This reflects the total contacts by month and by stakeholder type. The number of homeless/at-risk
contacts has actually decreased while merchant contacts have increased in September, reflecting
seasonal trends in travelers vs. local populations. The vast majority of complaint calls are in reference to
a small subsection of service resistant Fort Collins residents whom are experiencing homelessness and
Verbal Check-In,
650, 75%
Safety Concern, 80,
9%
Service
Coordination, 62,
7%
Conflict, 49, 6%
Criminal Behavior,
20, 2%
Welfare Check, 7,
1%
Reason For Contact
Verbal Check-In Safety Concern Service Coordination
Conflict Criminal Behavior Welfare Check
78
165
287 290
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
June July August September
Contacts By Month
Merchant Police Service Provider
Other Homeless/At-risk Total Contacts
3
have been living in Fort Collins consistently, contrary to the belief that the issues arising are only a result
of the traveling population.
This chart reflects the continuing growth of the Outreach Fort Collins support network. It is important to
highlight the increasing number of merchant contacts, as well as other contacts (these are phone calls
received from concerned citizens and individuals seeking services or information about Outreach Fort
Collins). This graph is meant to reflect the work that the team is doing with the non-homeless/at risk
community.
8
22
37
44
Police, 2
7
14
Service Provider, 2 15
12
14
9
Other, 0
5
4
14
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
June July August September
Community Stakeholder Contacts
Other
Service Provider
Police
Merchant
4
This graph is meant to show the breakdown of unduplicated vs. duplicated contacts, by month, since the
program started. It is important to note that the number of unduplicated as well as duplicated contacts
has grown or remained stable throughout the program’s existence, reflecting both relationships through
recurring contacts as well as an expanding network of various stakeholders.
Contacts Per Days of Service
Outreach Success/Impact
-Outreach first made contact with a disabled veteran through a police officer who asked the team
to come and meet this individual. This individual self-reports being chronically homeless for
over the past 30 years. The outreach team discussed available services and programs for
disabled veterans, but this individual was initially resistant to services, citing negative prior
experiences with getting his basic needs met. The outreach team continued to work with this
individual-having conversations about their past, discussing different services and agencies that
would be appropriate, as well building a trusting relationship by maintaining frequent contact
over the course of the next month. In total, outreach made contact with this individual 18 times
over a 33-day period, connecting him to programs through Veteran’s Affairs, Volunteers of
America, Catholic Charities, The Murphy Center, and Homeless Gear. Ultimately through these
collaborative efforts, this client is accessing a higher level of care.
4.9
7.4
12.3
17.8
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
June July August September
Average Contacts Per Day, Summer 2016
5
-Individual has been contacted 11 times since program launch. Individual’s behavior has never
been an issue, but has significant changes in behavior and demeanor as a result of consuming
alcohol. Over the course of two weeks, the outreach team noticed that client was consistently
sleeping in public during the day, and appeared to be physically deteriorating with each passing
contact. As a result, the outreach team contacted EMS for a welfare check. Two days later the
outreach team contacted the client again, who informed the team that during the past few weeks
he had been using drugs and drinking heavily, and was in a state of detoxing when the team had
seen him prior. This individual told the outreach team that he was interested in seeking
substance abuse treatment, and thanked the team for helping him through a difficult time.
-Individual was initially very service resistant, refusing to have conversations with the Outreach
Team about his past, his needs, and the obstacles he faced which impacted his ability to remain
stably housed. This individual was one of the first street contacts made by the outreach team, and
has been contacted 27 times since program launch. Despite a number of calls from merchants in
downtown regarding this individual’s behavior, outreach was able to respond, de-escalate, and
decrease public concern over his group’s behavior (based off merchant feedback), while also
improving the quality of the relationship between this individual and the Outreach Team.
Recently, client has shared a number of traumatic events from his past which have played a part
in his homelessness, and is contemplating accessing rehabilitation and recovery services, as well
as counseling to help him cope with depression from these events. As a result, behavioral
complaints around this individual have decreased from merchants and police. This client has
been an advocate for the Outreach Team on many occasions, vouching for us and standing up for
us with other individuals experiencing homelessness.
-Individual was the first contact Outreach Team made. For about six weeks the Outreach Team
built a trusting relationship with client and Outreach Staff engaged this person in case
management services through SummitStone. Due to overarching medical concerns client was
hospitalized and is now in a nursing home. Outreach Team continues to offer support and has
been part of helping client engage in mental health and substance abuse treatment through
SummitStone. Currently client is working on options for permanent housing and treatment for
substance abuse.
Goals/Objectives for Winter 2016
Further develop relationships with service providers; especially around emergency shelter and
day services to keep people inside and warm- this includes the Fort Collins Rescue Mission,
Catholic Charities, and A Safe Place to Rest programs.
Continue efforts with local merchants to de-escalate and resolve conflicts in the downtown area,
while also providing them with information they can use to help individuals access emergency
services such as shelter, food, clothing, etc.
Continue developing relationships with Homeless and At-Risk individuals to provide options for
food, shelter, and clothing during cold weather months
Collaborate with the Murphy Center and Homeless Gear around service provision, including
communications around groups and areas that need access to shelter and cold weather gear
6
options- this will be especially important when Homeless Gear does their night outreach, to help
prevent frostbite and other health issues.
Coordinate with UC Health to provide appropriate discharge plans and options for individuals
experiencing homelessness
Coordinate with Fort Collins Police D1 officers around trends with the homeless/at-risk
community, including high response areas and individuals who may need help in accessing
emergency shelter
Goals/Objectives 2017
Develop processes to help streamline access to services, especially for service resistant and high
vulnerability individuals
Maintain and increase connectedness to Merchant, Visitor, Police, and City stakeholders.
Develop, distribute, and educate stakeholders on program information, including viable options
for basic needs items through service providers, clarification on the legality of specific
behaviors, and appropriate responses to conflicts.
Reduce frequency of calls to Police Dispatch and Emergency Services in response to non-illegal,
non-emergency conflicts and/or situations
Increase positive perception of Downtown Fort Collins as safe and enjoyable for all stakeholders
(visitors, merchants, service recipients, etc.)
ATTACHMENT 2
Final Version – September 30, 2016
1
Severe Weather Emergency Shelter Plan
Introduction
This document is intended to provide a high level overview of the City of Fort Collins plan to assist
community partners in helping find shelter for those individuals who are seeking shelter at night during
the winter months. The City is not a direct service provider and cannot guarantee that every individual
seeking shelter will be given shelter each night, but this plan is designed to ensure consistency
throughout the winter months and also provide clear expectations of what the City will and will not do.
Stage I
Thresholds and Triggers
Stage I will be in place each night from November through April, the cold weather months.
Shelter
Shelter in Stage I is simply the community’s winter overflow shelter model, which involves the
Fort Collins Rescue Mission and Catholic Charities providing their overflow beds and also A Safe
Place to Rest, the City’s version of the Nashville Room in the Inn community-based shelter
model.
o Individuals seeking shelter during Stage I events should make their way to Catholic
Charities or the Fort Collins Rescue Mission.
Role of City Staff
City staff does not have an active role in each night of Stage I.
Staff maintains relationships with all of the service providers throughout the year
Stage II
Thresholds and Triggers
Stage II will be activated by the City Manager’s Office. The City Manager’s Office will activate
Stage II when the National Weather Service issues a Winter Storm Warning, Blizzard Warning, or
Wind Chill Warning for Fort Collins. These weather warnings signify eminent weather dangers
and are not based solely on forecasts.
Winter weather watches and advisories do not constitute a Stage II response. These
notifications do alert staff, providers, and individuals needing care that severe weather is
possible and lets them know to be prepared to move into Stage II actions.
Freeze warnings will not be used as a triggering event, as these warnings are only issued during
the first few freezes of the fall and unusually late freezes in the spring. They are agricultural
warnings by nature and temperature alone does not give a good indicator of whether or not a
Stage II response is necessary.
ATTACHMENT 3
Final Version – September 30, 2016
2
Shelter
An expanded number of shelter beds will become available during Stage II weather events.
All individuals needing shelter should make their way to either the Fort Collins Rescue Mission
or Catholic Charities, like they would do any other evening.
Transportation
Transportation to shelters will be provided through a network of partner organizations,
transportation to and between warming centers is an item that would be an additional service if
volunteers are available.
o Staff will continue outreach to community partners to ensure availability and
willingness of volunteers
Warming Centers
PEAK Community Church is actively working on a rotation to have different churches or
organizations prepared to offer warming centers on various days of the week during Stage II
events. Additional coordination may be required.
Middle of the Night Arrivals
Will continue utilizing an on-call park ranger for immediate future
Communication
When CMO makes the call to activate the plan, an email from the City Manager to City Leaders,
and citizen groups detailing added services will be sent.
o Staff will draft a template email for City Manager’s approval prior to winter season
beginning.
Staff will message important aspects of the plan to community groups prior to winter’s arrival.
Department Roles
City Manager’s Office: Make the call on activation of plan, given threshold guidelines.
Communicate with City Council and community members.
Office of Emergency Management: Will send out weather alerts and coordinate the city-wide
emergency response when necessary.
Outreach Fort Collins: Conduct pre-emptive outreach to the homeless population to alert of an
upcoming cold weather event and what resources are available for emergency shelter.
Parks: Provide the on-call ranger for middle of night arrivals until alternative is identified. As a
last resort, provide back-up van for transportation.
Police: Response to emergency or safety impacted situations. Dispatch should inform officers
when shelters are full.
Final Version – September 30, 2016
3
Social Sustainability: Communicate and coordinate with partners and City staff regarding
activation of plan and after-action reports.
Other To-Dos for Stage II
Communicate with ASPTR participating organizations to indicate that when emergency plan is
activated, they will be encouraged to take as many individuals as they can.
Identify willingness of churches to be an on-call church despite not being scheduled to
participate in community based shelter model on a given night – staff will reach out to
community partners to find assistance with coordination.
Establish on-call volunteer list for the manning of warming centers, transportation, and other
things.
Stage III
Thresholds and Triggers
Stage III will become active when a local emergency has been declared. This could happen at
any time of the year.
Response
The Office of Emergency Management will coordinate a response to a given emergency,
coordinating with national organizations such as the American Red Cross if necessary.
Staff will assist as requested by OEM.
1
Homelessness/Transient-Related Issues Update
Jeff Mihelich, Jackie Kozak Thiel, Mike Trombley, Beth Sowder
10-11-16
ATTACHMENT 4
Direction Sought
2
1. Does Council have any questions
about reports from this summer?
2. Does Council have any feedback about
plans for winter and next
spring/summer?
3
Reflection of
Summer 2016
Summer 2016 Re-Cap
Outreach Fort
Collins is
community-driven
outreach to
maintain our
downtown as a safe
and welcoming
place while
connecting our
community’s most
vulnerable to the
services and
supportive
networks they
need.
Summer 2016
Days of Service: 73
Total Contacts: 873
Unduplicated Contacts: 337
Merchant Staff Contacted: 78
Merchant Locations Contacted: 52
Service Agencies Contacted: 34
Total
Contacts Per
Month by
Stakeholder
Groups
78
165
287 290
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
June July August September
Contacts By Month
Merchant Police Service Provider
Other Homeless/At-risk Total Contacts
Outreach Team
686
79%
Merchant
81
9%
Police
35
4%
Person In Need
27
3%
Other (Service
Providers; City
Employees)
43
5%
Who Initiated Contact
Outreach Team Merchant Police Person In Need Other (Service Providers; City Employees)
Summer 2016
Impact made/personal stories:
30-year homeless veteran
Connecting with substance abuse
treatment
Reducing behavioral complaints
while gaining trusting relationship
Connecting with medical services,
housing, and treatment
9
Plans for
Upcoming Winter
Season
Winter Plans
Further develop relationships
Continue efforts with merchants
Collaborate with Murphy Center and
Homeless Gear
Coordinate with UC Health
Coordinate with Police District One
A Safe Place to Rest
Overview & Update
Modeled after “Room in the Inn”
Program in Nashville, TN
Engages a variety of community
partners
Pilot: November 1-April 30
Partners meeting and training
A Safe Place to Rest Program Details
• Facility locations
• Evening Pickup
• Transportation
• Morning Drop Off
• Coordination
12
Additional Details
• Planning and Zoning Board
Work Session
• Housing Special
Demographics (i.e. Couples,
pets. Etc.)
• Volunteer Coordination
13
Severe Weather Shelter Plan
14
• During severe winter weather
events, additional shelter beds
will be provided.
• Community will use winter
storm/blizzard warnings as
indicator to activate additional
services
• Involvement of many community
partners to provide added
services
15
Preparation for
Next
Spring/Summer
Next Spring/
Summer
Streamline access to services
Increase connection with Merchants
Inform stakeholders of OFC program
Reduce Police and Emergency calls
Increase positive perception of
downtown
17
Reflection of
Summer 2016
Police Services
Annual Transient/Homeless Calls for Service
2016 vs. 2015
• Year to date : 2,913 (+40%) over 2015 YTD (1,764)
• May – September: 2,256 (+48%) over 2015 (1,168)
• Change in call types
• Higher number of warrant arrests, felony drug possession, weapons, and violent
encounters
• Increases to time spent on calls and # of officers assigned
• Geographic distribution throughout the City
• Previously concentrated in or near the Old Town/North College area
18
Transient/Homeless Calls for Service City Wide
19
Number of hours spent on Transient/Homeless
calls for service per month
20
Geographic Distribution of Transient/Homeless Calls for Service
2016 Year to Date
21
Transient/Homeless Calls in Relation to Old Town
22
Top 5 Charges Annually
2015 (May to September)
1. Camping (126)
2. Open Container – Alcohol (89)
3. Theft (65)
4. Trespassing – Municipal Offense (62)
5. 3rd
Degree Criminal Trespassing – County Offense (44)
2016 (May to September)
1. Camping (157)
2. Open Container – Alcohol (146)
3. Theft (87)
4. Trespass – Municipal Offense (73)
5. Natural Areas Violations (49)
23
Charges Issued to Transient/Homeless
2014 2015 2016
MONTH BOOK CITE BOOK CITE BOOK CITE
May 15 135 18 78 24 95
Jun 28 117 29 97 33 134
Jul 24 125 33 101 33 143
Aug 22 132 35 103 34 158
Sep 19 105 35 69 31 89
TOTAL 108 614 150 448 155 619
24
25
Plans for
Upcoming Winter
Season
Police Services
Ongoing monitoring and analysis of “hot spots” for unlawful behaviors
• Addressed through a mix of proactive and reactive responses
• Continued collaboration with OFC, service providers, and city departments for
information sharing and response to concerns
Information sharing and education to homeless/transient population
• FCPS officers are frequently a primary point of contact regarding programs,
services, and infrastructure
• Shelter locations, hours, availability
• Murphy Center, etc.
• Safe Place to Rest information
• Expectations of conduct, conversations regarding lawful/unlawful behavior
26
27
Preparation for
Next
Spring/Summer
Police Services
Continuing and intentional focus on impacting unlawful behavior
• Trend and “hot spot” analysis
• Seasonal increase in proactive patrol capacity
• Allocations of existing personnel (Neighborhood Enforcement Team, SRO’s)
• Foot and bicycle patrols
• Use of overtime
• Continued emphasis on direct reports of concerns to FCPS
• Contributes to timely response, quality data, and better customer service
• Leverage of growing infrastructure/programs
• Outreach Fort Collins collaboration, other City departments
• Infographic to business community (winter)
28
October 4 Partner Meeting
Overview
Purpose of Meeting:
Addressing Criminal and Disruptive Behaviors in Transient Population
Participants
• City Departments
• County
• Service Providers
• Business Representatives
29
October 4 Partner Meeting
Outcomes & Next Steps
• Jail Capacity
• Jail Alternatives
• Municipal Probation
• Sentencing to new Critical Behavior Health Facility
• Outreach on panhandling/disruptive behaviors
• Shared data
• Focus on top offenders/denial of services
30
Direction Sought
31
1. Does Council have any questions
about reports from this summer?
2. Does Council have any feedback about
plans for winter and next
spring/summer?
32
Homelessness/Transient-Related Issues Update
Jeff Mihelich, Jackie Kozak Thiel, Mike Trombley, Beth Sowder
10-11-16