Homeless Outreach Team continues its mission towards cleaner, safer Folsom as all city owned ands cleared of camp sites
The Folsom Police Department, in collaboration with additional agencies, community leaders and non-profit organizations, has been busy off the beaten path lately, making significant strides in addressing and removing illegal homeless encampments throughout the community.
Since the launch of the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) earlier this year, officers have cleared more than 40 encampments across the city, including larger, long-established sites, according to Sgt. Brian Mendenhall of the Folsom Police Department. In addition to restoring public spaces, Mendenhall shared that at least 17 individuals have been successfully housed through available resources in the process, demonstrating the collaboration of enforcement and outreach.
“Homeless encampments ruin the natural environment and take the enjoyment of our open space away from everyone. HOT targets encampments and removes trash and waste to restore our lands to their original beauty. Officers use a mobile app to map encampments and record the status.,” explained Folsom Police Chief Rick Hillman. ““I am so pleased with the progress of our Homeless Outreach Team and the leadership of Sgt.Mendenhall. They live by our mission of Serving with Purpose. Homelessness is not a crime, but homeless individuals frequently commit crimes. Sergeant Mendenhall’s approach is to offer assistance while having a zero tolerance to criminal behavior.”
The effort to rid the community of the concerning encampments has been bolstered by a key decision from the U.S. Supreme Court last June, which granted cities the authority to once again enforce outdoor sleeping bans. The ruling allowed local jurisdictions, including Folsom, to resume enforcement of city ordinances prohibiting illegal camping on public property, a tool Police Chief Rick Hillman described as “vital” in the city’s efforts to curb encampments when the ruling came down.
“Our Folsom City Council adopted the 24/25 fiscal year budget, which included the addition of six new police officers and the creation of a homeless outreach team,” said Hillman. “While we have yet to fill all the vacancies, we immediately created a team to address Folsom’s homeless issues.”
Folsom Times had the opportunity to accompany the Folsom Police Department’s HOT team as they visited a handful of occupied, remaining encampments they are working to clear in the immediate future, working in conjunction with the state for sites that include state property.
One of the most significant milestones just this past week was the successful cleanup of an illegal encampment at 370 Plaza Drive, which is behind several commercial and retail structures and near local recreational trails. This encampment, which had been under monitoring since July 2024, according to Mendenhall, was located on a small parcel of land owned by the State of California and patrolled by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). Mendenhall explained that the site had become a growing concern for local businesses and residents due to increasing safety and environmental hazards.
“For months, our team worked diligently to engage with those living at the site, offering valuable resources and support,” said Mendenhall, who leads the HOT team. “With help from Jake’s Journey Home and other local organizations, we worked to connect individuals with services. However, when it became clear that continued habitation posed a significant risk, we knew action was necessary.”
Following a critical agreement reached between Folsom and DFW earlier this month, which granted Folsom officers enforcement authority over trespassing laws on state-managed land within city limits, officers were able to move forward. The HOT team posted notices for abatement, and in collaboration with contracted services, they carried out a full cleanup of the site.
“The very next day, DFW stepped in to restore the natural habitat,” Mendenhall added. “This immediate action not only helped alleviate safety concerns but also ensured the land could be revitalized, bringing new life to the area.”
The cleanup came in response to numerous community complaints, including reports of fires at the encampment that posed serious risks to both individuals living in the camp and surrounding properties.
“This is exactly the kind of collaboration that is making a difference in Folsom,” Mendenhall said. “By working together with DFW, local nonprofits and community stakeholders, we are able to ensure public safety while also providing opportunities for those in need to receive help.”
Walking alongside Folsom’s HOT officers in the field, it becomes clear that the team has built meaningful connections with individuals in the encampments. The officers operate with a firm but respectful approach—clearly communicating that the camps will be removed and debris cleared while offering resources and services for those willing to accept help. There is an unmistakable balance of authority and compassion among the local team. In most cases, the officers know the individuals by name, and it becomes a very personal yet professional discussion. Despite occasional resistance, officers remain professional and direct. The expectations are clear—encampments must be cleared, but support is available for those who want it.
“When they want help, they get it,” said Mendenhall. “Our team is often the bridge that connects them to the services they need.”
During the recent site visit, officers demonstrated this delicate balance of enforcement and outreach. Their interactions with homeless individuals are not just about clearing spaces; they take the time to ask about personal situations, inquire about available family support and offer pathways to local assistance programs. In most cases, they know the individuals by name, and it becomes a very personal yet professional discussion. Lt. Anthony Zelaya, who previously led the Crime Suppression Unit, underscored the importance of this approach and the new legal framework that has allowed for more effective action.
“The magnitude of getting that no-trespassing legal agreement in place cannot be overstated. It was a major challenge for years, and now we have a real solution,” he said.
Folsom Times photo by Bill Sullivan
A Sustainable Approach to Keeping Encampments Cleared
A key factor in the city’s success has been its ability to prevent encampments from reestablishing after being removed. Officers make it a priority to revisit cleared locations frequently, ensuring that activity does not return. Any signs of new encampments are addressed immediately, reinforcing the city’s no-tolerance policy on illegal camping. This proactive approach, combined with the increased security presence at Folsom’s SacRT light rail stops and ongoing cleanup efforts by California Fish and Wildlife, has made a noticeable difference in maintaining progress. The message has become clear—Folsom is not a place where illegal encampments will be allowed to take hold.
As officers explained during their field visit, the ongoing enforcement has shifted the dynamic. Those who do not want assistance or refuse to comply with the law have begun to move on. Meanwhile, those who express a willingness to seek help are connected with local services, often through the direct support of the HOT team.
“We’ve been able to make real change in Folsom over the last eight months,” Mendenhall said. “Now, with a focused effort to ensure encampments don’t return, we have the ability to stay on top of it so it doesn’t get out of control again.”
Hope for a safer, cleaner future in Folsom
With encampments on city property now under control, Folsom’s focus shifts to maintaining these efforts and addressing remaining state-owned land. Officials remain committed to working with Fish and Wildlife and other agencies to continue restoring impacted areas, ensuring that public spaces, creeks and trails remain safe and clean for residents.
“The progress made so far is a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Folsom City Councilmember Anna Rohrbough, who was present on the field trip this week along with Natalya Sachuk, Field Representative for Dist. 7 Assemblyman Josh Hoover. “This is about creating a safer, cleaner and more compassionate community for all.”
While homelessness remains a complex issue, Folsom’s targeted enforcement—paired with outreach and resource connection—appears to have resulted in a more manageable situation. With continued focus, the team hopes the city will never return to the conditions of the past few years and that once-impacted areas will fully recover, providing a healthier and safer environment for all.
While much has been accomplished in the way of encampments cleaned up or being slated for clean up, there is still much work to do. Part of that work is to keep the community informed of the city’s progress and ongoing enforcement. Soon, the department will launch a live dashboard showing any active camps in Folsom and each status for such, whether posted for abatement, awaiting clean-up, or removed.
“The goal is to work closely with the community to identify and eradicate illegal campsites, while helping those experiencing homelessness take advantage of the many housing opportunities available to them,” Hillman added.