San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl has recently taken decisive action to tackle the growing homelessness issue in the city by deploying additional officers.
Wahl, who took the helm as the city’s chief of police in June, has implemented a strategic plan that involves assigning 20 newly trained officers who have recently graduated from the academy to address crimes related to homelessness. Their focus extends to managing quality-of-life issues, particularly concerning open drug use prevalent in various areas.
In addition to these new assignments, Wahl has also allocated more officers to specialized teams dedicated to connecting homeless individuals with shelters and essential support services. This initiative complements the broader efforts aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges of homelessness in San Diego.
Wahl argues that the strategic reassignments within the department’s Neighborhood Policing Division—an initiative he played a pivotal role in establishing back in 2018—will significantly strengthen the department’s response to homelessness. Newly assigned officers will gain invaluable experience responding to community-centric issues rather than typical emergency calls. The team is committed to providing crucial links for homeless San Diegans to access shelters and various support programs, making a tangible difference in their lives.
As part of his plans, Wahl envisions that newly trained officers will spend approximately three months with the division’s enforcement teams, with subsequent classes of 20 to 35 officers poised to join the effort. This structured approach aims to reinforce the resources available for tackling homelessness effectively.
Despite prevailing views among homelessness service experts, who often argue that police actions can complicate the already challenging lives of homeless individuals, Wahl remains hopeful that focused enforcement can ultimately contribute to reducing homelessness. He emphasizes the necessity of police involvement in addressing pressing health and safety concerns when adequate support from service providers is lacking.
“This is not about making folks’ lives even more difficult,” Wahl asserted. “This is about drawing a line that we will have – it’s a hard stop – that we cannot have people dying on our streets.”
In conjunction with the bolstered enforcement resources, Wahl has formed a specialized four-person unit comprising seasoned officers dedicated to assisting vulnerable residents who visibly struggle with addiction and health crises on the streets. These individuals, many of whom are not homeless, frequently trigger numerous 911 calls from concerned citizens and often find themselves in a continuous cycle between jails, hospitals, and treatment programs.
Wahl’s commitment to enhancing community support includes adding four officers to the Homeless Outreach Team. This team diverges from conventional policing methods, opting not to wear standard police uniforms as they work tirelessly to assist homeless residents in accessing shelters and other supportive services.
Wahl’s decision to intensify staffing in the Neighborhood Policing Division is a direct response to the increasing demands from the community. As homelessness continues to escalate in the city, housed residents have increasingly called for the city to take assertive action.
Haunted by a hepatitis A outbreak in 2017 that devastated the homeless community, which originated from downtown encampments, Wahl highlighted the importance of proactive measures. The police response to that crisis involved dismantling encampments that had developed over two years, a drastic action Wahl described as a necessary step to save lives.
The groundwork for this progressive enforcement approach, along with the establishment of the Neighborhood Policing Division, has persisted even after the transition from former mayor Kevin Faulconer’s administration to that of current Mayor Todd Gloria. Wahl noted that at one point, approximately 85 police employees were dedicated to this division, but staffing shortages had seen numbers drop below half, coinciding with a spike in street homelessness and overdose deaths.
To combat these challenges, the City Council enacted a camping ban last year, granting police an additional enforcement tool. Currently, Wahl is focused on deploying more resources to make a substantial impact on the ongoing crisis, with plans to elevate staffing in his division to pre-pandemic levels.
To lead this initiative, Wahl appointed Capt. Steve Shebloski, a seasoned police veteran with 28 years of experience within the San Diego Police Department. Following Wahl’s directives, Shebloski stated that the division is prioritizing community engagement and meaningful impact over mere arrest quotas or superficial solutions that displace homeless individuals from one area to another.
Enthusiastic about this approach, Shebloski envisions a comprehensive strategy to tackle homelessness—an approach that comprises dedicated officers who offer services combined with the newly established unit focused on providing critical support to individuals grappling with complex issues, including addiction. He noted that these individuals are frequently involved in incidents that prompt numerous calls for police and emergency assistance.
In one notable instance, officers from the new Intervention Services Unit dedicated a 15-hour shift collaborating with a public defender and other entities to facilitate treatment for a man who had generated an overwhelming number of 911 calls. Such collaborative efforts align with Wahl’s vision for this unit, ensuring it plays an instrumental role as the county moves forward with an expansion law allowing conservatorship for individuals with severe substance use disorders.
John Brady, an advocate for the homeless who has personally experienced life on the streets, expressed gratitude for the San Diego Police Department’s intensified focus on helping those battling significant health challenges. However, he and his organization remain cautious about the anticipated increase in enforcement tied to homelessness. Brady emphasizes that while many homeless individuals seek shelter, they often face obstacles in accessing available resources, expressing concern that heightened enforcement may force unsheltered people into isolated areas, making it increasingly difficult for them to seek assistance. “We are firmly against any additional enforcement,” Brady stated. “We’re driving people away from resources and into dangerous situations, including fire hazards.”
Shebloski hopes to encourage more homeless individuals to engage with the services available to them, stating, “My goal is we’re not the move-along division.”
**Interview with San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Chief Wahl. You’ve recently taken significant steps to address homelessness in San Diego. Can you tell us what motivated you to implement this new plan?
**Chief Wahl:** Thank you for having me. The growing crisis of homelessness in San Diego is not just an issue for those living on the streets; it’s a community issue that affects all of us. After witnessing firsthand the challenges our residents are facing — both housed and unhoused — I felt compelled to take action. Our focus is on not only addressing quality-of-life concerns, such as open drug use, but also connecting individuals with the support services they need.
**Editor:** You mentioned deploying newly trained officers to tackle crimes related to homelessness. How will their roles differ from traditional policing?
**Chief Wahl:** Absolutely. The newly assigned officers will work closely with our Neighborhood Policing Division, which I helped establish in 2018. These are not just patrol officers; they will be immersed in community-centric issues rather than standard emergency calls. Their training includes responding to the needs of homeless individuals, guiding them to shelters, and connecting them with essential resources.
**Editor:** Some experts argue that police involvement can complicate the lives of homeless individuals. How do you respond to those concerns?
**Chief Wahl:** I understand that perspective. However, the reality is that without adequate support from service providers, police involvement can be a necessary part of the solution. Our goal is not to make lives more difficult but to ensure that we don’t have people dying on our streets. We are drawing a hard line on certain behaviors that endanger public health and safety.
**Editor:** Can you elaborate on the specialized Homeless Outreach Team and its approach to assisting vulnerable residents?
**Chief Wahl:** Yes, our Homeless Outreach Team is intentionally designed to operate differently from traditional law enforcement. The officers on this team do not wear their standard uniforms, which helps to build trust and rapport with the homeless community. Their primary aim is to connect individuals with services like shelters and healthcare rather than resorting to enforcement actions.
**Editor:** With the homelessness crisis escalating, what measures are you taking to ensure community involvement and feedback as this plan unfolds?
**Chief Wahl:** It’s essential to engage with the community and listen to their concerns. We’ve been actively soliciting feedback from residents to better understand the challenges they’re facing. Additionally, our efforts include the formation of a specialized unit dedicated to addressing public health and safety concerns without simply displacing homeless individuals. Our goal is to create lasting solutions rather than temporary fixes.
**Editor:** Lastly, can you share your hopes for the future as you continue this initiative?
**Chief Wahl:** I am hopeful that by reinforcing our Neighborhood Policing Division and actively engaging with the community, we will make a meaningful and positive impact on homelessness in San Diego. We are committed to elevating our staffing to pre-pandemic levels and approaching this issue with compassion and effectiveness. Together, we can draw a line that prioritizes the health and safety of our entire city.
**Editor:** Thank you, Chief Wahl, for sharing your insights and strategies. We wish you success in your efforts to address homelessness in San Diego.
**Chief Wahl:** Thank you for having me. It’s a complex issue, but with dedication and collaboration, I believe we can turn the tide.