Behind the Badge
More than 60 volunteers teamed up with park rangers, community ambassadors, social service workers and Beverly Hills police officers Wednesday night as part of Los Angeles County’s three-day “point in time” count of the homeless population.
Rachel Evans, L.C.S.W., clinical program coordinator with the City of Beverly Hills, center, gathers teams to hand out tally sheets and flashlights for the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
The three-day count began Tuesday night in the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys and ended Thursday in the Antelope Valley, Metro Los Angeles and South Los Angeles. The effort provided county officials with a snapshot of the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population.
The Chronic Homeless Assistance Team (CHAT), an innovative collaboration between the Beverly Hills police and fire departments, the city attorney’s office and the Beverly Hills human services division, helped to lead the effort on Wednesday.
Participants in the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count gather at Beverly Hills City Hall to listen to a few presentations before going out to tally the city’s homeless population.
Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
“We look to solve problems for the chronically homeless not just through enforcement, but by working with these other agencies to provide medical assistance, if they need it, or help with permanent housing, if they are open to it,” said Lt. Todd Withers, of the Beverly Hills Police Department.
While Beverly Hills averages a small number of homeless people, counting every person is important for determining funding priorities and educating the public, said Rachel Evans, L.C.S.W., clinical program coordinator with the City of Beverly Hills.
Kevin Conner of the Beverly Hills Outreach Team inspects boxes and bags left on the sidewalk near the La Cienega Tennis Center during the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Kevin Conner of the Beverly Hills Outreach Team, left, Park Ranger Allen Triposkiy and Sabreah Sanchez, also with the Beverly Hills Outreach Team walk the perimeter of La Cienega Park for the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Park Ranger Allen Triposkiy checks one of the baseball fields at La Cienega Park during the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Park Ranger Allen Triposkiy, left, along with Sabreah Sanchez and Kevin Conner of the Beverly Hills Outreach Team walk the perimeter of La Cienega Park for the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Park Ranger Allen Triposkiy, left, and Kevin Conner of the Beverly Hills Outreach Team check the doors at the preschool in Coldwater Park for the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Kevin Conner of the Beverly Hills Outreach Team takes a closer look around Maltz Park during Wednesday’s Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Kevin Conner, left, of the Beverly Hills Outreach Team, and Park Ranger Allen Triposkiy map out their route for the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Beverly Hills Police Lt. Todd Withers gives tips to participants of the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count before they leave to tally the city’s homeless population.
Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
Participants in the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count gather at Beverly Hills City Hall to listen to a few presentations before going out to tally the city’s homeless population.
Miguel Vasconcellos/Behind the Badge
