CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
September 17, 2025
Honorable Judge Alesia Jones
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court SENT VIA EMAIL
Solano County Superior Court
600 Union Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533
Re: City of Fairfield Response to 2024-2025 Solano County Grand Jury Report Entitled: Police Homeless Outreach
Dear Honorable Judge Alesia Jones:
The following is the City of Fairfield’s response to the above -mentioned Grand Jury Report which was approved by the City Council on September 16, 2025.
Before addressing the findings and recommendations, there are factual inaccuracies in the report that we feel must be corrected for the integrity and accuracy of the record.
Under Section III - Statements of Fact, several items require clarification:
The Homeless Intervention Team (HIT) was established in 2014, originally composed of one sergeant and one officer.
Over time, the team expanded to include a sergeant, two officers, a Community Service Officer (CSO), and a social services therapist. Later, two additional officers were added, bringing the total to four officers—not eight, as stated in the report. Due to the City's structural deficit, the team was recently reduced by one sergeant, the social services therapist, and two officers.
Currently, HIT consists of two officers and one CSO, overseen by a lieutenant.
We respectfully request that future Grand Jury reports verify operational data with the Police Department’s Office of the Chief prior to publication. An attempt was made to address these inaccuracies prior to the release of the report, but unfortunately, that effort was unsuccessful.
Letter to Honorable Judge Alesia Jones
Re: City of Fairfield Response to 2024-2025 Solano County Grand Jury Report Entitled:
Police Homeless Outreach
September 17, 2025
FINDING 1 – “Police Departments and social service agencies share common goals but could cooperate more fully to enhance efficiency of their programs.”
RECOMMENDATION 1 – “The Police and Social Service Providers better coordinate by information sharing and training between PD and SSPs. Police Departments contact other counties’ Police Departments to explore their best practices when coordinating with SSPs.”
CITY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT’S RESPONSE:
The Police Department agrees. We have actively sought collaboration with multiple agencies —some of which have developed strong, long -term partnerships with us. However, not all agencies are willing to work with law enforcement. This lack of cooperation hin ders service delivery, particularly because Fairfield Police Department is one of only a few agencies conducting active daily outreach with the unhoused. Our inability to access the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) remains a significant barrier.
FINDING 2 – “Many of the unhoused population whom police encounter have substance abuse and/or mental health illness.”
RECOMMENDATION 2 – “Police request additional medical assistance staff to evaluate substance abuse and mental health issues of the unhoused during outreach.”
CITY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT’S RESPONSE:
The Police Department agrees. This dual -diagnosis issue presents one of the greatest challenges in homeless outreach. Unfortunately, Solano County lacks adequate mental health and substance abuse resources. Additionally, the County is under a moratorium for implementing SB 43, which would expand the authority for 5150 Welfare & Institutions (WI) holds due to the anticipated strain on local hospitals and city services.
Previously, we worked with medical providers who administered psychiatric injections to willing unhoused individuals, often improving their condition and enabling connection to services. These programs are now rare. Our officers are well -trained in recognizing substance influence, but without proper facilities to take individuals for treatment, detention in jail often becomes the only option —which does not lead to long-term solutions or judicial review.
Letter to Honorable Judge Alesia Jones
Re: City of Fairfield Response to 2024-2025 Solano County Grand Jury Report Entitled:
Police Homeless Outreach
September 17, 2025
FINDING 3 – “The public often misunderstand what police can do legally in response to homelessness.”
RECOMMENDATION 3 – “Police conduct more education/outreach with the public on what police can do legally to address homelessness.”
CITY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT’S RESPONSE:
The Police Department agrees in principle, but we have made extensive efforts to educate the public. Our department regularly attends:
• Neighborhood Watch meetings
• Homeowners’ association meetings
• Business forums and civic events
We also engage with the public through social media, clarifying the roles and limitations of law enforcement related to homelessness. We remain open to further community engagement. However, we believe other service organizations should increase their public education efforts to inform the community about th eir work, challenges, and limitations.
FINDING 4 – “Police have insufficient resources to perform their duties effectively with regard to homelessness.”
RECOMMENDATION 4 – “Connect police with available resources, programs, or entities to contribute to training, staffing, and equipment for assistance in addressing the needs of unhoused individuals.”
CITY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT’S RESPONSE:
The Police Department agrees. Homelessness is not inherently a police issue unless it intersects with criminal activity. Yet, due to the lack of sufficient outreach services, police are often the default responders. Without comprehensive legislative reform and better allocation of program funding, this dynamic will continue. Nevertheless, we are committed to mainta ining and expanding our collaborative partnerships to address this issue as effectively as possible.
The HIT program remains a critical initiative within the Fairfield Police Department. We highly value the trust and relationships our officers have built with the unhoused community and will continue fostering positive, solution-focused interactions.
Letter to Honorable Judge Alesia Jones
Re: City of Fairfield Response to 2024-2025 Solano County Grand Jury Report Entitled:
Police Homeless Outreach
September 17, 2025
We remain committed to doing all we can with the resources we have. We appreciate the Grand Jury’s thoughtful evaluation and shared commitment to improving pu blic safety and the well - being of our most vulnerable residents.
Sincerely,
DAVID J. GASSAWAY
City Manager
Attachment 1: Solano County Grand Jury letter dated July 3, 2025 – Police Homeless Outreach Attachment 2: Solano County Civil Grand Jury 2024-2025 Police Homeless Outreach
cc: City Council
Dan Marshall, Police Chief