Pros
On-the-ground outreach staff demonstrate good conduct and positive interaction asking people if they need help
Cons
The police are also present when on-the-ground outreach team approaches and questions homeless on the street. 3-4 outreach staff and 4-5 police officers were present at the last instance I observed. Makes for a daunting presence and less support-based impression. Has dehumanizing effect on the very people it seeks to support, and leaves a bad taste in the mouths of onlookers as well. Makes outreach seem less an offer to help and more a pressure to get off the streets, i.e. move and get out of the way. If police must be present in an unsolicited site visit approaching people without having been asked, invited, or requested (at least not) by the homeless person(s) in question, the ratio should not be more police than outreach workers. This has the effect of giving an impression of harassment and intimidation, and at best, belittlement and dehumanization. Outreach workers should outnumber police officers present on site visits and street outreach, even when police are not forcing the homeless to move. More police than outreach members makes it seem like the homeless are being seen & treated as a nuisance as opposed to individuals to potentially help and support.
