10 Arrested In 'Quality Of Life' Crackdown In Lake Elsinore

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A "zero tolerance/quality of life" crackdown across Lake Elsinore on Monday netted 10 arrests, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The department said the operation focused on areas described as "problem areas." During the crackdown, authorities contacted 30 people, including two who said they would like assistance ending their homelessness, the sheriff's department said.

All told, 10 people were arrested for crimes related to quality of life, the department said. Those who were arrested will have access to resources intended to help them end homelessness.

"The Lake Elsinore Station continuously strives to ensure the citizens of Lake Elsinore live/function comfortably and are able to enjoy the activities of daily living unimpeded," the sheriff's department stated in a news release about the operation.

During the month of December, the city's Social Work Action Group (SWAG) worked on homeless outreach initiatives and helped several people obtain shelter and leave the streets.

According to the City of Lake Elsinore, SWAG contacted 242 people in December, 10 of whom were able to obtain housing and leave the streets. It also provided mental health services to 18 people.

Over the course of 2020, 67 people were able to leave the streets with SWAG’s help. In the last month of the year, none of the 10 people given shelter returned to the streets, the city said.