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4.A. - Page 6 of 98 <br />Due to the daily contact the Police Department has with homeless residents, Department <br />leadership recognizes Police employees' unique opportunity to connect homeless individuals with <br />the support services they need to transition off the streets and into long-term, supportive <br />housing. Department employees strive to treat every contact with a homeless resident as an <br />opportunity to help that person get such support, whether it is financial, mental health, substance <br />abuse treatment or job skill development. Each of the Department's six patrol teams has a <br />designated Homeless Outreach officer. Together, these officers make up the Department's <br />Homeless Outreach Team. Each officer receives special training regarding available services and <br />how to assess and connect the individual with the specific services they need. Each designated <br />outreach officer also works closely with the Department's Community Coordinating Activities <br />Officer, who oversees the Homeless Outreach Team and is primarily responsible for coordinating <br />our work with supportive social service organizations such as Street Life Ministries, Life Moves, <br />and the Fair Oaks Community Center. The entire Homeless Outreach Team meets regularly with <br />representatives from these organizations to ensure the individuals and families most in need are <br />able to access the support they require. <br />Use of Civilians for Some Activities Traditionally Performed by Officers <br />Several community members have urged the use of civilians for some activities traditionally <br />performed by police officers, such as parking enforcement and lower -level traffic control <br />activities. This is current practice in Redwood City. Professional support staff in the Police <br />Department provide critical first line and support services such as emergency dispatch, records <br />and information management, property management and evidence collection, parking <br />enforcement, and juvenile support services. The Community Service Officers and Parking <br />Enforcement Officers are the Department's most visible professional staff as they work daily in <br />the community and are readily identifiable by their uniforms. Community Service Officers support <br />patrol operations by providing responses to lower priority calls for service, such as non -injury <br />traffic collisions, minor property crimes, and traffic control. Parking Enforcement Officers are <br />responsible for enforcement of the meters in the downtown area, as well as neighborhood <br />parking restrictions and permit parking zones, and the monitoring and towing of abandoned <br />vehicles. <br />Police Department Role in Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws and Coordination with the <br />Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) <br />Many residents urged the Police Department to avoid cooperation with ICE. The Police <br />Department recognizes its obligation to provide police services and protect the safety of all <br />members of the community and that community trust and confidence is crucial to achieving this <br />goal. This goal is undermined when community members are fearful of contacting or cooperating <br />with local police due to their immigration status. <br />Accordingly, the Redwood City Police Department takes no proactive role in the enforcement of <br />federal immigration laws and does not inquire about immigration status when assisting residents. <br />The Department will provide emergency support to ICE officers working within the City when <br />requested but with the sole purpose of ensuring the safety and well-being of federal personnel <br />and the community. <br />Page 6 of 17 <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org <br />