APPLE VALLEY, Calif. — The Town of Apple Valley recently received an influx of complaints from citizens and key community stakeholders regarding aggressive panhandling in various shopping centers during the peak holiday shopping season.
Many families expressed concerns of feeling unsafe after being accosted by aggressive panhandlers in various shopping centers or having their vehicles broken into while shopping.
The Apple Valley Police Department addressed these complaints by conducting a quality of life enforcement operation.
Detectives and Apple Valley Code Enforcement Officers conducted proactive enforcement of the California Penal Code and Apple Valley Municipal Code, concentrating on law violations including aggressive panhandling, drugs and
The Apple Valley Police Department partnered with the Town of Apple Valley Code Enforcement and the Sheriff’s HOPE Team to make this operation a success.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 29 individuals for various crimes including panhandling, theft, drug sales/possession, warrants
Detectives also provided outreach to homeless not engaged in criminal activity with the assistance of the Sheriff’s HOPE Team which provides resources, including but not limited to housing and food resources.
Members of the public are encouraged not to support individuals panhandling as this fosters additional criminal activity and feeds drug and alcohol abuse. These individuals panhandling have been offered housing and assistance through the Sheriff’s HOPE Team. For homeless related resources or to give to a worthy charity who support homeless in San Bernardino County call 1-844-811-HOPE (4673). For additional homeless assistance dial 2-1-1.
To report suspicious or criminal activity, contact San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760)956-5001.
(source: SBSD – Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station news release)
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