A heated discussion about the escalating and complex problem of homelessness in Hillcrest and surrounding areas erupted at a neighborhood watch meeting on Jan. 9.

Prompted by public anxiety about vagrant violence, a confluence of residents, community leaders and law enforcement gathered at the Joyce Beers Community Center to mull over civil, legal and financial solutions for curbing the incidental surge in homelessness.

Clint White, chair of the Hillcrest Neighborhood Watch, invited Sgt. Richard Schell to speak on behalf of the San Diego Police Department, outlining the SDPD’s current approach to homeless disturbance in the area. A member of the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), Schell addressed the group by prefacing, “We must balance compassion and protection equally.”

With meager resources and a budget crisis to contend with, Schell explained that HOT is composed of a mere four officers, two of whom are employed by the county, the other two funded by the city. According to Schell, the team works with the chronically homeless population to connect such individuals with available services like substance abuse programs to assist in getting them off the street.

Building rapport and confidence with chronically homeless individuals is a key element in enrolling them into treatment facilities, even though many are at capacity and clients have the freedom of leaving the facility at any given time, Schell believes. Local treatment avenues include the Volunteers of America Sobriety House and McAlister Institute for Treatment and Education.

Schell informed the crowd that despite popular belief, homelessness and loitering are not legal infractions, thus homeless individuals cannot be apprehended by law enforcement without first committing a crime.

Deputy City Attorney Paige Hazard provided those in attendance with such tools as a “stay away” request, a restraining order and a letter of authorization from the police department to legally deal with the congregating of the homeless on or around personal property. She explained that “even though it sounds cliché, the best thing people can do is to continue to call the police, even if they take hours to arrive.”

Hazard stressed that if the homeless individual in question continues to remain a nuisance within the community, upon legal trial in court, documentation such as numerous calls and “stay away” orders are integral in reaping a conviction. A letter of authorization, available to home and business owners, allows police officers to enter one’s premises, apprehend said offender and convict the individual of trespassing.

A representative from Councilmember Toni Atkins’ office, Jeffrey Tom, was also on hand to assure the crowd that Councilmember Atkins has expressed concern about the homeless problem in Hillcrest. Tom echoed Hazard’s assertion that documentation and communication with law enforcement is crucial.

In the past, Councilmember Atkins’ office has worked with the Hillcrest Business Association to address the transaction of alcoholic beverages between local liquor stores and inebriated vagrants, Tom said. Statistically, there are approximately 20,000 homeless in the county, 12,000 of which have sought out services and 1,400 who are chronically homeless, he said, adding that he believes the core group of antisocial individuals is very minor and shouldn’t be cause for alarm.

Many of the residents at the meeting vocalized that they had trouble distinguishing between general violence and violence wrought by homeless individuals. Some did not care to make such a distinction, one saying “the problem of homelessness and the increase in crime are one in the same to me.”

Others advocated physically engaging homeless individuals by demanding that they leave Hillcrest, kicking them if they must. At the behest of Lt. Andrew Mills, the crowd agreed that “kicking” was unacceptable.

“It’s someone’s brother or sister lying on that sidewalk,” Mills cautioned, denouncing vigilante activity against the homeless. “Kicking the homeless while they’re lying on the ground is unacceptable and we will vigorously enforce that.”

Mass hysteria about the murder committed by a transient at Extraordinary Desserts late last month caused alarm amongst attendees, who equated such violence with the increasing homeless population in Hillcrest. Ralph Stephen Garbarini, 45, is believed to be responsible for the murder of Michael Fineman on Dec. 30 and remains at large. Officers at the meeting were quick to explain that the shooter was living out of his van and was passing through San Diego. He is not believed to be a chronically homeless individual within San Diego County.

The group suggested such measures as starting an Internet community bulletin with digital photos of offenders, fixing street lights and creating an e-mail alert network for residents.

For more information about taking legal action against homeless trespassers, call Deputy City Attorney Paige Hazard at (619) 533-5844 or e-mail phazard@sandiego.gov.