Operation Rio Grande

Shaylie Green March 20, 2019 ENGL 2100 Operation: Rio Grande Homelessness is a crisis that Utah has been actively battling for more than a decade— yet the numbers continue to rise. For nearly a decade, the state implemented the “Housing First” Initiative, which proved to be highly ineffective (Dean, 2018). By 2015, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department was reporting 3,025 homeless in the state of Utah (Comprehensive Report, 2015). With homelessness being looked at as a nationwide epidemic, Utah decided it was time to make a change. In 2017, they announced Operation Rio Grande. The operation was pushed in order to shorten the length of time people need shelter, and create more successful transitions from shelter to housing. It specifically targeted the Rio Grande area of Salt Lake, an area that is often seen as toxic for its prevalence of homelessness, drugs, and violent crimes. This project has been running for nearly two years, and it’s time to ask: has it made a difference? Phase 1 Operation Rio Grande was planned to release in three main phases. Phase one launched in August of 2017, and aimed to reduce the crime rate in Utah: particularly near Pioneer Park, and the surrounding neighborhoods. Despite the police station nearby, drug crimes in the park had been described as a game of “cat and mouse (Piper, 2017).” As police attempted to crack down on the problem, dealers would adapt. Often, people dealt in plain site, with the police

being able to do little to nothing to curb the problem. Phase one of the operation aimed to increase patrol and arrests, and get dealers off the streets. Since the beginning of the project, approximately 4,700 arrests have been made, with a 44% decline in Rio Grande’s crime rate (Operation, n.d.). On the outside this is a staggering number, but it doesn’t quite tell the whole story. With the high number of arrests, jail capacity has been reached in many cities, forcing many dealers to be sentenced with nothing more than a fine. It seems these dealers have continued this game of cat and mouse, adapting by moving cities. As crime rates have decreased in the heart of Salt Lake, issues have increased in the surrounding cities. For phase one of the initiative to be a success, it’s important that the state addresses the issue of overcrowded jails. Phase 2 In the past, our jail system has not followed much of a “rehabilitation” focus for the incarcerated. Phase Two of the initiative aims to address this: focusing on rehabilitation of those arrested in Phase one. The second aspect of the Rio Grande project is crucial in creating a long-term solution to the problem. According to a 2009 study, up to 40% of those suffering from chronic homelessness struggle with a substance abuse disorder, or a major mental illness (Who Is Homeless, 2007). To assume we can leave these problems untreated, and expect someone to become self-reliant is naïve at best. The states efforts to address this issue have proven to be successful so far. The state has increased it’s number of beds for residential treatment by over 250, and with these changes, they have been able to enroll 1,810 people into treatment programs (Operation, n.d.). While

this is less than half of the arrests that have been made, it is a dramatic improvement to the state’s previous response to drug arrests. Many previously homeless addicts have praised the state’s approach to the issue. In an interview given to Amy Daeschel, a heroin addict and homeless resident of Salt Lake, she states, “I would not be alive if it wasn’t for Operation Rio Grande.” She was put through drug treatment after her arrest, and given sober living arrangements. She explained how crucial this treatment program was in her ability to stay clean, and get off the streets (Winslow, B). Phase 3 Phase three of the initiative could be argued as the most important, but also faces some of the greatest barriers: connecting individuals to sustainable income and housing. Since the beginning of the project, 397 people were given placement into sustainable jobs. Currently, 144 of those individuals are still active in the program (Operation, n.d.). It seems that the Operation’s success rate drops significantly with each phase. Although each active job placement is one worth celebrating, it’s worth evaluating what is causing this drop. One of the biggest obstacles I see in Operation Rio Grande is a lack of resources. We saw it in phase one, as jail capacity was reached, and many of those arrested were not able to continue through the program. We see it in phase two, as many spend months or even years waitlisted for residential treatment, due to inadequate number of beds. And it’s evident especially in phase three, as even those who have been treated and given an income struggle to stay self-reliant. Many are falling back into their old ways, returning to addictions, and cycling into another episode of homelessness. Let me share a story that may give insight as to why this might be:

In 2017, a housing voucher was awarded to Ron and Katherine Barrett, a couple that had been struggling with homelessness since 2008. Ron was diagnosed with cancer, Katherine had Multiple Sclerosis, and the medical bills became too much to handle. They were left homeless for over a decade, and were thrilled to be given a voucher for rental assistance. However, after two months of searching, they were unable to find affordable housing that would accept their voucher, and was within their price range. Their assistance expired, and Ron and Katherine remain homeless (Stevens, 2019). In 2010, the average cost of rent in Utah was approximately $720. As of 2018, it has risen to approximately $1,072 (Stevens, 2019). Affordable housing has become incredibly hard to access, and it’s been estimated that we have a deficit of about 7,500 affordable housing units in the state. Those who are placed in jobs and can receive a steady income still face being denied due to bad or no credit, or for having drug charges on their records. The lack of affordable and transitional housing in the valley, along with the lack of residential treatment available will continue to cause barriers to Operation Rio Grande. We need to make rehabilitating the homeless a priority, rather than a nuisance.

Works Cited: Comprehensive Report on Homelessness: State of Utah 2015[Pamphlet]. (2015). UT: Department of Workforce Services. Dean, T. (2018, December 10). Auditors can't tell if $100M spent on Utah homeless services made a difference. Retrieved from https://www.ksl.com/article/46445514/auditorscant-tell-if-100m-spent-on-utah-homeless-services-made-a-difference McKellar, K. (2018, August 14). No 'mission accomplished,' but Operation Rio Grande successes celebrated. Retrieved from https://www.ksl.com/article/46376048/no-missionaccomplished-but-operation-rio-grande-successes-celebrated Operation Rio Grande. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2019, from https://operationriogrande.utah.gov/ Piper, M. (2017, October 18). Operation Rio Grande disrupts drug dealers, but it hasn't put them out of business. Retrieved from https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2017/10/18/operation-rio-grande-disrupts-drugdealers-but-it-hasnt-put-them-out-of-business/ Stevens, T. (2019, February 3). A homeless Salt Lake City couple have had a housing voucher for weeks but can't find an apartment. They remain living on the street. Retrieved from https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2019/02/03/homeless-salt-lake-city/ Who Is Homeless? NCH Fact Sheet #3, National Coalition for the Homeless, 2007. Winslow, B. (2018, August 15). The success of 'Operation Rio Grande' one year later depends on who you ask. Retrieved from https://fox13now.com/2018/08/14/the-success-ofoperation-rio-grande-one-year-later-depends-on-who-you-ask/