A Problem That Remains a Big Problem

An operation by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office over the last several days in Spring Valley says a lot about how big a problem the homelessness problem is.

Deputies made arrests and issued citations during an operation at eight different homeless encampments. 

Seven arrests were made on outstanding warrants for various offenses including trespassing, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and one felony warrant.

They also issued 26 citations during the sweep of homeless encampments.

The operation resulted from ongoing complaints from residents in the Spring Valley community.

Deputies told Fox 5 that deputies, before the operation, had talked to people in the encampments and offered them help…including shelter, mental health services and substance abuse treatment, but apparently it wasn’t enough to make the encampments go away.

While homelessness will never be fully eliminated, as much as everyone wants it to be, this operation should be yet another reason for public officials, non-profits and faith organizations to make this economic and humanitarian problem an even higher priority than it already is.

(Photo reporting partner 10News)