Sacramento County Deputies Tackling Growing Homeless Problem
SACRAMENTO COUNTY (CBS13) — It's become the No. 1 complaint to law enforcement in one section of Sacramento County—people living on the streets causing problems in bedroom communities.
That increase, combined with a recent police shooting on Los Angeles' Skid Row has put the spotlight on how law enforcement deals with the homeless population.
The walk down a creekside embankment is a lot like the jobs of Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies—it's not easy. But these steps taken by the transient enforcement detail, also known as TED, as becoming more crucial than ever.
What they do is respond to what is now the No. 1 complain to law enforcement in North Sacramento County—calls about the homeless.
Areas like Carmichael, Fair Oaks and Arden Arcade are seeing a sharp rise in the homeless population and the problems that can come with it.
"We are seeing quite an increase--when I first started there wasn't as many as there is now--I think it's doubled or tripled in size," said deputy Paul Pace
Deputies estimate the three members of the specialized detail are dealing with between 100 and 150 homeless, and possibly more.
On Tuesday afternoon, the occupants of one homeless campsite that someone had complained about weren't around. But a weapon—a large, sharp knife—and a bullet was found.
What's more difficult to find is the reason for the rise in the homeless population.
"Well there is definitely a lack of services available for all the different problems that lead to homelessness," Paces aid.
But the deputies are trained and prepared to deal with the problems commonly connected to those who live on the streets.
"We're dealing with people who are going to be self-medicated either with alcohol or drugs so we always have to be aware of that unpredictability," said deputy Tom Mantie.
To counter that, officers do their best to try and get to know who they're dealing with.
"We've got the relationship where I pull up and I go hey, hey Tony—they know it's us—and they're like how you guys doin'," Pace said.
