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Palm Springs Police Department Update

A snapshot of Operation Relentness Sun and its first month in motion

Since the inception of Operation Relentless Sun on February 1, the Palm Springs Police Department has identified a total of 340 unhoused residents, and conducted daily multiple camp clean-ups. As of late March, 68 people have been arrested — for 38 felonies and 30 misdemeanors.

More than 300 people have been provided with a complete list of resources, with information on mental health, substance abuse resources, and emergency shelters.

Additionally, 24 people accepted housing in various shelters throughout the valley, and 14 individuals have been relocated to their original hometowns, with friends and family.

Palm Springs Chief of Police Andy Mills says, “Officers and CSOs have done a fantastic job counting, contacting, and coordinating resources for the homeless, and conducting enforcement efforts. My command staff briefed me; here is where we are with the project. Operation Relentless Sun will be a long-term effort, fraught with many difficulties. Still, we are determined to give our best effort while being transparent and compassionate, yet firm in our approach.”

Chief Mills also explains the strategy has two parts, which include enforcing “micro hot spots” and using “leveraged deterrence” to gain compliance for research on these two policing strategies.

Hot spot policing strategies focus on small geographic areas, where crime is concentrated. Law enforcement agencies can then focus limited resources in the areas, where crime is most likely to happen.

The deterrence strategy, also called “pulling levers,” is one focused on attempts to deter specific criminal behavior through the presence of specific sanctions or “levers.” At the same time, there is an anticipation of benefits for not engaging in crime.

The four initial Operation Relentless Sun hot spots include Sunrise Way and Vista Chino, 400 South Palm, Sunrise and East Palm Canyon, and Ramon Road and Crossley Road. Progress at those locations is improving, but Chief Mills says the department recognizes the numbers can change daily. Therefore, a before-and-after picture is essential to understanding the problem and assessing progress being made in each area.

Here is a look at where each spot stands, one month into the operation:

Sunrise Way and Vista Chino

10 tents with about 15 people. A month later, two tents remain.

Ramon Road and Crossley Road

32 tents with 37 people. A month later, all tents are gone.

South Palm Canyon

Two tents and 10 people frequently in the area. Now, one tent and five people present.

East Palm Canyon and Sunrise Way

15 people frequently. Now, three people are there regularly.

Chief Mills says, “We recognize there has been some displacement. Once these areas are stabilized, officers will move to the next spot.”

The PSPD would like to gratefully recognize the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and Jewish Family Services for their enormous support in helping to move this project forward. Operation Relentless Sun is a continuous mission in motion. The department will continue to update the Palm Springs community as the work continues and the strategies are applied with compassion and hope.