On Tuesday, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office provided an update on how enforcement has been going on the camping ordinance that was adopted last March.
For those who may not remember, the camping ordinance prohibits people from camping on county owned or public property within 1,000 feet of the Truckee River.
The Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement Team or HOPE Team says they like to take a multiple step approach and make it clear to homeless people in our community that there are options for them.
While arresting those in violation of the ordinance can happen, members with the HOPE team say they make multiple efforts before it comes to that.
"First contact is a verbal warning and to try to get a little information about them and see if there is any resources that we can provide them. We like to get them into contact with our case managers and we have two case managers that ride alone with us two days a week.," said Natasha Schuette, Sergeant with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office HOPE Team.
Step two is another verbal warning, and the HOPE team says in between the first two steps, there is usually multiple attempts to try and help people get an I.D., find shelter, or even receive medical help.
After the first two warnings, a written warning will be issued, along with an appearance in community court.
As a last resort, people in violation will be arrested.
So far, the HOPE team says this method has been successful and is giving people a fair chance.
"I think the ordinance is a great balance to protect the concerns of the citizens but also the vulnerable population. We can build trust and rapport and see if we can find an outcome and eventually a safe place or a home and maybe a new step and a new direction.," said Natasha Schuette.
In 2024, the HOPE team made contact with 2,182 people and were able to connect 1,404 of them with resources.
As a result of that, 144 people were able to find housing.
There were 193 civil or patrol assists, only 15 warning citations given out, and two arrests made, but neither of them was because of ordinance violations.
