buy him essentials for his new place. He’s now on the path to a sustainable life. But sadly, Robert is the exception. Rarely do those we encounter take advantage of the services offered. CB : The City of El Cajon has several shelter options, but many homeless individuals resist going to them due to the rules in place. How does the SEU address this challenge? DM : Persistence is key. We present them with a full brochure of resources every day and offer free rides to shelters. Eventually, some accept the help, especially during extreme weather. Unfortunately, many only seek motel vouchers, which don’t provide a long- term solution and are often just a private space to use drugs temporarily. CB : How does the SEU engage with local businesses and residents to address their concerns and keep them informed about ongoing efforts? DM : We encourage the use of the My El Cajon app, which helps us target problem areas. We also meet with business owners to develop long-term solutions, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. CB : If you could share one message with the residents of the City of El Cajon about the SEU’s work, what would it be? DM : Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for everyone in El Cajon. We approach our work with compassion and dedication, striving to make our City a better place to live, work, and visit.
up before we arrive. We clean up what remains, but the encampments often reappear the next day. On Fridays, we focus on outreach, working alongside HomeStart and County to offer shelter, rehab, and other services. While most offers are rejected, persistence sometimes leads to success. CB : How has the SEU’s approach evolved in response to community concerns about the economic impact of homelessness on local businesses and public spaces? DM : Our Police Chief has strengthened communication with businesses, offering advice on preventing shoplifting and vandalism. We prioritize meeting with business owners in person to build relationships and address issues collaboratively. Unfortunately, the courts no longer do stay-away orders for repeat offenders, and this complicates matters, but business owners or managers can apply for restraining orders, though the process is challenging. CB : Can you share any success stories or significant improvements that have resulted from the SEU’s efforts? DM : Absolutely. One recent success story is Robert, a man we worked with for months begging him to get into a program. After witnessing his friend’s overdose, he finally accepted help. He completed a shelter program, moved into an apartment, and reconnected with his family. Our team even pooled together to
tool now is education—informing the homeless about available services. However, without consequences for actions like theft, vandalism, or drug use, there’s little incentive for them to change. Stronger State legislation and prosecution are necessary to make a real impact. Also, residents don’t realize that Caltrans has jurisdiction near freeways, and we are not supposed to enforce camping bans in those areas of our City. CB : How do you balance enforcement with compassion when dealing with homeless individuals? DM : We treat them with empathy and humanity—they are our neighbors. However, we also have a duty to the taxpayers, residents, and businesses. We offer all available services to help them, but we can’t support them living on the streets of El Cajon. CB : Can you describe a typical day or situation that your team faces while addressing homelessness issues? DM : Twice a week, our full team collaborates with Public Works to clean up major encampments. Many homeless individuals are aware of this and pack
El Cajon Police Department’s SEU team members (left to right): Officer Niko Hernandez, Officer Deanna Mora, and Officer Brandon Inis
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AUTUMN ISSUE 2024 • MY EL CAJON
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