Contacts

• 24 hour, 7 day a week access to PATH Team -  Community Bridges: 1-844-691-5948
• Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Aaron Raine, Mesa homeless coordinator: 480-710-5837
  

How Mesa's police officers can help:

• If people experiencing homelessness are generally cooperative, aren’t breaking laws or creating public safety concerns, Mesa’s Police can and do take more of a ‘rehabilitative’ approach to serving this population.
  
  
• Officers can provide a guide/handout to explain the programs and resources available and to help connect those experiencing homelessness with the right agency/contact.
  
  
• And, if a homeless individual receives a criminal citation from Police, there is a way to have charges dismissed/suspended – if the proper resources are being accessed and used.  For example, if you are living on the streets and are making progress securing permanent housing or receiving counseling services, in the interest of justice, the charges may be dismissed.  However, to be considered for a charge dismissal, people must provide proper documentation of resources, and they must be provided to Officer Brandon Kozeliski at Mesa PD, or the Mesa Prosecutor’s Office, or the Mesa Public Defender’s Office prior to the court date. If people experiencing homelessness choose to use their own resources and can demonstrate rehabilitative progress, there is a possibility that he/she could receive alternative sentencing.  The Court could order a person to utilize resources in order to suspend a fine, jail time, or probation upon completion of housing.  There is also a possibility of geographical restrictions as part of a probation program.
  
  
• Bottomline: Mesa’s Police Department is working diligently to provide new avenues of access to service for people in crisis and are or are nearly experiencing homelessness.  If a person experiencing homelessness is approached by an officer, please be cooperative and professional and ask the officer about the “Program for Community Outreach” and how to access services and help.

Did you receive a Criminal Citation?

There is a way to have your charges dismissed/suspended!  If the proper resources are used and you are on your way to permanent housing, emergency shelters, or other substance abuse counseling prior to your court date on the citation, the charges may be dismissed in the interest of justice.  However, you must provide proper documentation of resources and they must be provided to Officer Kozeliski, the Mesa Prosecutor’s Office, or the Mesa Public Defender’s Office Prior to your court date.

If you choose to go to court without utilizing the available resources on your own, there is a possibility that you could receive alternative sentencing.  The Court could order you to utilize resources in order to suspend your fine, jail time, or probation upon completion of housing.  There is also a possibility of geographical restrictions as part of your probation.