MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20230224-011
Friday, February 24, 2023
The San Mateo Police Department Sees Success with its Homeless Outreach Team
San Mateo, CA - In September 2022, the San Mateo Police Department hired Victoria Asfour as its first homeless outreach analyst. Asfour earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Social Work from California State University East Bay. Prior to joining the department, Asfour worked at LifeMoves. She started as the homeless outreach case manager for the San Mateo and Burlingame region before advancing to lead outreach case manager. Asfour again promoted and became the program director, where she supervised LifeMoves homeless outreach teams.
Asfour works with retired SMPD Officer Dave Johnson as part of a two-person homeless outreach team. Before retirement, Johnson worked for four years as a Downtown Unit (DTU) officer and collaborated closely with the San Mateo County Homeless Outreach Team (HOT). In his five years of retirement, Johnson performed homeless outreach as a civilian for the department. Together, they work to connect unsheltered people with housing and other critical resources. Many of the people Asfour and Johnson encounter suffer from substance abuse and mental health issues, which can make achieving successful outcomes difficult. However, their training in crisis intervention and de-escalation coupled with their compassionate and patient approach allow them to break through those barriers and reach even the most resistant individuals.
Asfour and Johnson tackle many of the tasks case workers may not have the time to perform because of their extensive caseloads. Many shelters require government issued identification as a requirement for entry. Some services or programs require birth certificates or official court records prior to participation. Many unsheltered people cannot meet these requirements because their paperwork and identification have been lost, stolen, or destroyed by the elements. Asfour and Johnson escort individuals to the DMV, court, and other government offices. They assist with clothing and grocery shopping, picking up medication from pharmacies, rides to various appointments, and other actions that will assist unsheltered people obtain or maintain stable housing. For those who refuse their assistance, the duo offers snacks, clothing, and hygiene kits. They also provide emotional support and a supportive friendly presence in the lives of people who may not have a support system.
HOT provides a significant benefit to the department and to the community. In their nearly six months together, Asfour and Johnson have greatly reduced the number of nonviolent homelessness calls for service answered by police officers. This frees officers to answer and to focus on the calls that require the assistance of a police officer. Additionally, HOT works exclusively with unsheltered individuals. This allows Asfour and Johnson to be the primary point of contact between those who need assistance and those who provide it. This positioning helps create positive relationships and connections that reduce recidivism and improve the quality of life within San Mateo, two goals of the HOT team. Asfour said, “No day looks the same. We figure out what each individual is lacking and attempt to fill the gap. Sometimes that means emails, phone calls, and texts. Sometimes we just listen. And sometimes we give hugs.”
MEDIA CONTACT
Alison Gilmore
Public Information Officer | Support Services
City of San Mateo Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94403
650-522-7626 | [email protected]
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