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Lancaster police outline updated homeless outreach plan, joined teams to speed service connections; sheriff's station launches virtual deputy appointments
Summary
Lancaster Police Department described a revised Measure H/A homeless services plan and pairing outreach teams with core teams to improve immediate service acceptance; Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lancaster Station announced a virtual deputy program for scheduled, non‑emergency virtual reporting.
Lancaster Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lancaster Station updated the commission on homeless outreach changes and a new virtual service intended to speed assistance and reduce delays.
The Lancaster Police Department said it has taken responsibility for administering Measure H and Measure A funding for local homeless services. Measure H is sunsetting but funds will roll over through the next year, while Measure A has different rules and has recently started, the LPD presenter said. LPD said it worked with county staff and community‑based organizations to revise the local plan and posted the updated plan publicly (a QR code on meeting materials was noted).
LPD described a change in operations: the department is pairing its core team with the expanded homeless outreach team so services can be offered and started on the spot rather than requiring follow‑up. The presenter said early contacts show higher acceptance rates when services can be connected immediately. The department also described staffing actions: two existing officers were promoted to sergeant and interviews are underway to fill the resulting vacancies; LPD also is in early rounds to hire motor officers.
Separately, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lancaster Station announced a "virtual deputy" program that allows residents to schedule a future appointment with a deputy for non‑emergency reporting and law‑enforcement questions. The sheriff's representative said the service is not for immediate emergencies or complaints requiring an in‑person response; residents are directed to call 911 for priority calls. The virtual deputy link is available from the station page on LASD.org and is intended to reduce wait times for non‑urgent matters and to provide an alternative to in‑person visits.
The LPD presenter also noted the city's app for reporting nonemergency problems (graffiti, code issues) and said incoming app reports are routed to the appropriate department, including LPD when appropriate.
Commissioners asked about staffing levels; LPD said the current outreach unit has four officers and two sergeants, with plans to fill two additional officer slots and add seven motor officers plus a motor sergeant.
