SHERIFF_AnnualReport_8.5x11_041521_WEB

OMMUNITY
CTION TEAM
COMMUNITY
ACTION TEAM
(CAT)
is staffed by two deputies who
specialize in the unsheltered population
and with community members
suffering from mental illness throughout
the entire San Luis Obispo county
with an additional CAT deputy
exclusively assigned to South Station.
The county CAT units have partnered
with the County Behavioral Health
Department to create a co-responding
model to meet the needs of the
target population. These co-responding
Behavioral Health Community
Action Teams (BHCAT) consist of a
behavioral health technician and a law
enforcement agent. The priorities in
2020 were focused on supporting the
Stepping Up Initiative by actions
directed towards reducing recidivism
of those suffering from mental illness,
finding appropriate alternatives to jail,
as well as assisting the target population
with connections to resources
during the global pandemic. Referrals
and calls for service are received from
several community partners including
family members, non-profit agencies,
law enforcement officers, dispatch, and
the San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Jail
staff. The ongoing goals are to reduce
the number of bookings into jail of
community members who suffer from
a mental illness, assist this population
with engaging in treatment, and coordinating
getting them connected with the
appropriate level of care. These actions
and goals are done through collaboration
with Judges, Board of Supervisors,
District Attorney’s Office, Public
Defenders Office, SLO County Jail,
Behavioral Health Department, and
community partners.
HIGHLIGHTS
Serving Unsheltered Population
The BHCAT and CAT units adjusted
their normal protocols to adhere to
Covid-19 safety measures put in place
to serve the unsheltered population
while prioritizing the community
members health and safety. The units
worked with the county’s Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) to reach out
to the unsheltered population in
hard-to-reach places in order to check
on their health and offer appropriate
resources. The CAT unit worked with
the EOC to identify vital services and
shelters that are essential to this
population and that needed to stay
open during this restrictive time. One of
these vital services was keeping the
warming center in North County open
for the unsheltered population.
THE UNITS PRIORITIZED
CLEANING UP CAMPS IN
SAN LUIS OBISPO, PASO
ROBLES, LOS OSOS, AND
CAMBRIA TO REDUCE THE
SPREAD OF COVID-19
WHILE OFFERING
RESOURCES AND
RELOCATING INDIVIDUALS
TO SAFER AND MORE
APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS.
While engaging with these community
members, high utilizers were identified
and individualized services were
offered to further assist this population.
The teams set up medical and mental
40 SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE