Riverside County Probation Department Rolls Out Mobile Service

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — People on probation in Riverside County are required to attend regular meetings with a probation officer. But for homeless people who lack transportation, making these appointments can become an obstacle, which can lead to more extended probation periods or going back to jail.

The county aims to reduce these barriers by having a mobile probation service center. The Riverside County Probation Department announced Monday the rollout of two fully equipped mobile service centers designed to bring community supervision services directly to unhoused individuals and clients who face transportation challenges.

The new units will travel throughout the county, to local parks, public libraries, shelter parking lots, and resource fairs, making it easier for clients to check in with officers, attend counseling sessions, and access supportive services without missing critical appointments.

"Reliable transportation should never be the deciding factor in whether someone succeeds on probation," said Chief Probation Officer Christopher H. Wright. "By meeting people where they are, our Mobile Service Centers remove a major obstacle, helping clients stay on track, fulfill court-ordered requirements, and ultimately move forward with their lives."

Each climate-controlled vehicle functions as a "probation office on wheels," featuring:

• Secure interview space for confidential check-ins and risk-needs assessments
• Remote Court Appearance opportunities that allow clients to appear in front of a judge virtually, without traveling to the courthouse
• Telehealth stations for virtual counseling, substance-use disorder treatment, and mental-health appointments
• Document printers and scanners so clients can sign, submit, and receive paperwork immediately
• On-site referrals to housing, employment, and vocational training partners, reducing the number of homeless clients living on the streets
• Wi-Fi access that allows clients to complete job applications, schedule medical appointments, or connect with social-service portals

According to Assistant Chief Natalie Rivera, early pilot testing was well received by clients, who were excited about adding the Mobile Service Center.

"We firmly believe that the addition of these units will lead to fewer violations, fewer warrants, and more success stories," Rivera said. "When clients can focus on rebuilding rather than scrambling for a bus ticket, everyone — families, neighborhoods, and taxpayers — wins."

Funding for the Mobile Service Centers was made available through a grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).

Community members are invited to tour the vehicles immediately following the Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 29th, 2025, at the County Administrative Center.