Multiple Arrests During Homeless Encampment Action Response Team’s Nighttime Sweeps
POMONA – During this time of heightened fire alerts and high winds, raging wildfires, break-ins, and porch pirates, residents are more aware of suspicious activity in their neighborhoods — and are actively reporting incidents and emergencies by phone to local authorities or via Text-to-911.
Pomona PD’s nighttime enforcement sweeps of numerous city parks by the HEART (Homeless Encampment Action Response Team) in conjunction with the Pomona Public Works Department made 14 arrests last night due to outstanding arrest warrants.
Sgt. Anthony Catanese told Crime Voice about HEART’s quality-of-life efforts which began in in early 2017 – “Several operations were going on. We contacted over 22 people who were not supposed to be there after the parks closed (sunset to sunrise). Some of our local parks sit along the foothills – where our homeless warm themselves with illegal fires. With the wind advisory, and the possibility of more coming, there’s a high likelihood of wind conditions for more wildfires.”
HEART acted on several citizen complaints. Officers responded to Ganesha Park, Willie White Park, Washington Park, Powers Park, Ralph Welch Park, Palomares Park, and City Hall. Several homeless individuals were located and offered resources. 14 subjects were found to have outstanding arrest warrants.
When several homeless individuals were located and offered resources, and their abandoned property left in the parks was stored for safekeeping, Sgt. Catanese noted, “We’re giving the homeless community a way to maintain their dignity by storing their valued and meaningful items, as well as give the park back to those who have earned it: our community members in the surrounding homes who have avoided parks due to suspicious individuals.”
