The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has launched a public awareness campaign about homelessness, “Positive Change, Not Spare Change.” According to the Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement, or HOPE team, 65 percent of panhandlers are not homeless. The HOPE team says giving money to panhandlers contributes to the panhandler’s drug or alcohol addiction. HOPE team members urge residents to donate to legitimate homeless service providers, who can use donations to find real solutions to move people off the streets. For more information about the Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement team, call 909-387-0623, or email [email protected].
