The Palm Springs Police Department has embarked on the first phase of Operation Clean Streets, a multi-agency, comprehensive approach toward fighting crime in downtown Palm Springs.
According to a PSPD Facebook post, phase one resulted in the arrest of 12 people and the connection of two homeless individuals to helpful resources. In the coming weeks, the department said there will be an increased police presence patrolling downtown.
"Operation Clean Streets will run several operations directed at tackling crime in the central area of Palm Springs over the next several months," the PSPD said in the Facebook post Tuesday. "Part One of Operation Clean Streets involved a multi-agency and multi-prong approach to address crimes involving disorderly conduct, theft, vandalism and open drug use in Downtown Palm Springs."
Based on recent crime analysis data, Operation Clean Streets is a plan formed with input from lieutenants in each of PSPD's Neighborhood Policing Areas and headed by Lt. William Hutchinson.
The agencies involved in this initial stage of the operation were officers from PSPD, the Eastern AB-109 Post-Release Accountability and Compliance Team (P.A.C.T), the Riverside County Crisis Response Unit and Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. The agencies all joined together May 31 to consider the recent issues that have impacted downtown Palm Springs.
Those arrested in phase one were charged with a multitude of violations such as outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants, theft, vandalism, and public urination. Additionally, eight homeless individuals were contacted by the Riverside County Crisis Response Unit and Coachella Valley Rescue Mission to offer resources for assistance. However, of the eight, two accepted the resources, the Facebook post said.
Operation Clean Streets will be carried out over the next couple months, PSPD said on Facebook. Future initiatives will focus mainly on vehicle and pedestrian safety, responses to disturbances and high visibility patrols and enforcement.
The PSPD urges anyone who sees something to say something, and "help Palm Springs PD identify problem hot spots by reporting crime when it happens."