Homelessness and Transient Concerns

The City of Ripon does not have a continual population of homeless persons living within the community.  The City will experience a periodic influx of homeless persons which will cause our numbers to increase or decrease as they travel from City to City within the County and surrounding areas.  We also see the same members of the homeless population at specific times of the year, usually in correspondence to the weather or other area activities.

The Ripon Police Department Unhoused Outreach Liaisons are Sergeant Staley and CSO Neula.  Sergeant Staley can be contacted at 209-599-0254 or email at pstaley@cityofripon.org.  CSO Neula can be contacted at 209-599-0276 or email at lneula@cityofripon.org.

For a variety of reasons, the City of Ripon does not have a large population of homeless persons as compared to other communities.  During the 2024 Point in Time study that was conducted, it was noted that Ripon had 4 homeless individuals at that time.  When officers come into contact with a member of the homeless population within our community the following goals are sought:

• Inquire if temporary assistance is needed, and if assistance through our Voucher Program would help.
• Direct to social services that are already in place within the City and County.
• Advise of City Ordinances pertaining to Panhandling/Begging, Urinating and Defecating in Public, Illegal Camping, etc.

The Ripon Police Department does have a Voucher Program.  Through this program officers can use discretion to issue emergency shelter, transportation, food and gas vouchers to persons in need.  A majority of the vouchers issued through this program are for food and/or gas, followed by temporary shelter, and then lastly transportation.  The funds to operate this program are gathered through donations from Ripon residents and local service organizations.  Vouchers should be used to facilitate ongoing travel to a final destination or to mitigate an emergency situation.  Generally speaking, those truly in temporary need should not be in a position to use the voucher program more than once.  Watch commander approval will be needed for any persons requesting a voucher beyond one instance.

The Police Department collaborates with staff members of San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services to provide help and assistance to our homeless/transient populations that suffer from mental health issues.  At times no further action is required after an initial consultation, and other times persons have been admitted for mental health treatment.