EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 61, NO. 47
October 31, 2024
San Bernardino’s $23.8 Million Homeless Navigation Center Sparks Debate Over Modular Housing and Preliminary Service Rejections
IECN.com
Award-winning Bilingual Children's Education Show, Learn with Me, Kicks Off Season Two Pg. 4
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
A homeless man stepping out of his camp during the San Bernardino County Point-In-Time Count on January 24, 2024.
By Manny Sandoval
A
s San Bernardino grapples with how to deploy $23.8 million in funding for its new Homeless Navigation Center, tensions are mounting over design choices, service policies, and ongoing challenges in securing the cooperation of the unhoused. During a special council meeting held on October 24 at the Feldheym Library, Acting City Manager Rochelle Clayton revealed that despite a
Ground Broken on 190acre Ontario Sports Empire, Largest Sports, Recreational Complex of its Kind
PHOTO HOPE THE MISSION
An example of modular housing by Hope the Mission, a partner of the City of San Bernardino, located in Victorville.
court injunction lifted on October 2 permitting the city to clear encampments, unhoused individuals at Perris Hill Park are refusing services, likely due to shelter rules. According to Clayton, outreach efforts conducted by Hope the Mission on October 22 encountered unanimous rejection, with unhoused individuals citing an unwillingness to follow the center’s restrictions. “The response was plain,” Clayton reported. “They do not want any restrictions or
rules.” With this resistance in mind, Clayton expressed concerns over the city’s plan to open a 200-bed facility, advocating instead for a phased launch with 50 or 100 beds to assess demand. “We don’t want to staff a facility for hundreds of beds that may go unused,” she added, highlighting an already uncertain level of occupancy at the forthcoming center to be located at the former School of Hope site at 796 6th St., Housing cont. on next pg.
San Bernardino Police Department Partners with California Highway Patrol to Help Sustain Reduction in Violent Crime
Pg. 5
Inland Empire Community Time for Change Newspapers Foundation’s Executive Office: (909) 381-9898 Director Vanessa Perez Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Honored JP Morgan Advertising:as sales@iecn.com Legals : iecnlegals@hotmail.com Chase 2024 Community Icon Pg. 8
HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals: iecnlegals@gmail.com
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL San Bernardino Police Department patrolling the streets during the 2024 Route 66 Car Show.
Community News
T
he San Bernardino Police Department (SBPD) has announced a strategic partnership with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) aimed at maintaining and further reducing violent crime within the city. This year, San Bernardino has seen a significant decline in violent crime, with overall aggravated assaults down 17%, robberies reduced by 15%, and, most notably, murders down by a
staggering 33% from the same period last year. This follows an impressive 50% reduction in murders from the previous year, marking a historic downward trend. The SBPD attributes much of this success to a proactive approach to law enforcement, intelligence-led policing, and collaborative partnerships. This new alliance with CHP will build on these efforts, pooling resources and expertise to enhance citywide safety. With additional CHP support, SBPD will
strengthen patrols in high-traffic areas, increase rapid response capabilities, and engage in targeted crime prevention operations. "Our community deserves to feel safe and secure, and we are committed to sustaining this positive momentum," said San Bernardino Police Chief Darren Goodman. "This collaboration with CHP will amplify our ongoing efforts to keep violent crime down, and we are confident that by working together, we can make a lasting impact."