ParkTalk_Jan2024

S.A.R.B. UNIT

SANTA ANA RIVER BOTTOM UNIT Home to an estimated 200 unsheltered individuals, the Santa Ana River Bottom is the largest concentration of encampments in Riverside County. These individuals are exposed to environmental hazards, extreme weather conditions, and vulnerability to victimization. This gives the Santa Ana River Bottom the highest priority for encampment response and mitigation. RivCoParks took the initiative to improve conditions within the Santa Ana River Bottom by creating the SARB (Santa Ana River Bottom) Unit. The SARB Unit is a response to the growing number of unhoused individuals in the Santa Ana River Bottom and the protection of natural resources. The primary objective of the SARB Unit is twofold: to protect the natural resources within Riverside County and to provide essential resources and support to individuals experiencing homelessness. Their strategy encompasses various actions, including removing encampments impacting protected species and polluting the river, removing invasive species, improving water quality, and conducting habitat restoration. The SARB Unit operates in close collaboration with a variety of stakeholders. These include outreach organizations, local law enforcement agencies such as the Housing Workforce Solutions, Path of Life, Riverside Auto-Theft Interdiction Detail (RAID), Riverside County Sheriff, Riverside Police Department, San Bernardino Sheriff, and San Bernardino Code Enforcement. This collaboration aims to connect individuals to services linked to resources but also deter criminal activity within the riverbed and ensure the safety of both unhoused individuals and the environment. Since its inception, the SARB Unit has made substantial progress in achieving its goals. Notable accomplishments include the removal of 68 stolen vehicles, the removal of 31 abandoned vehicles through Junk Slips, the identi cation and plotting of over 525 encampments, and the removal of over 70 cubic yards of trash in the Santa Ana River area.

Oscar Serrato, Natural Resources Manager - S.A.R.B.

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