Wastonville Police, Santa Cruz County Community Action Board partner for homeless engagement

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION) —The Watsonville Police Department has partnered with Santa Cruz County's Community Action Board to reach out to homeless community members.

Started in late 2024, the partnership includes more one-on-one engagement with the unhoused community in Watsonville by providing services and speaking to them one-on-one.

Services include job placement, immigration services, housing assistance, and basic hygiene needs.

Lack of information about these services and other community programs was in the top five community needs within the larger Community Action Plan set by the board.

Other community needs the Board aims to address are employment and income insecurity, COVID-related health issues, food insecurity, and housing insecurity.