​Azusa Sergeant Talks With Dr. Drew About Local Homeless Crisis

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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REGION - Sex assaults. Thefts. 27 tons of garbage collected and nearly 70 brush fires in the riverbed. Just some of the issues related to an ever-increasing homeless population in Azusa.

Azusa Police Sergeant Rocky Wenrick spoke with Dr. Drew Pinsky on the Dr. Drew Midday Live radio program July 1 about how the homeless crisis is rapidly unravelling within the city.

Wenrick talked at length about the mental health, environmental impacts on Azusa and how crime continues to rise.

“[Crime] has a good deal to do with the population, but I wouldn’t say directly because they’re homeless ... there are other mitigating factors that go along with that,” Wenrick said, adding that the rise in the homeless population has led to a rise in crime.

Wenrick cited a strong mental health factor and the decriminalization of certain drug crimes that contribute to an ever-increasing problem. (LISTEN BELOW)

While not providing a specific number, Wenrick said sex assaults of females have occurred within the homeless riverbed population.

Preliminary data revealed a 123 percent increase in Azusa’s homeless population in 2019 -- up to 321 individuals from 168 last year.

Treatment for issues related to homelessness is difficult to administer, mostly due to a resistance to police, government in general due to a mental illness component.

Not often talked about is the environmental impact homeless populations have in the San Gabriel Riverbed, where human waste can be washed away into the ocean. Cleanup can be impacted due to protected flora and fauna in the area, Wenrick said.

During a previous large-scale cleanup of the San Gabriel Riverbed, 27 tons of waste was collected, Wenrick said.

A cleanup effort is being planned for the San Gabriel Riverbed in the near future, Wenrick said.

The sergeant also noted a high concentration of the homeless populate in the riverbed where over time 66 vegetation fires have been started by those living there.

“That is the reality of what we are dealing with here ... the majority of what we are seeing is mental health and the majority of these people will not accept any sort of direction,” Dr. Drew said. “When you hear your elected officials talk about housing, you should tell them to stop the hoax. Stop hoaxing us.”