LAPD reports that safety concerns regarding homeless encampments and incidents are a
common complaint, including crimes, trespassing, tents blocking sidewalks, narcotic use,
etc. If a crime is not involved, citizens are encouraged to report all concerns to LAPD’s
new programs, CIRCLE (now operational in Silver Lake and Franklin Hills) and LAHOP.
Responders from these services are trained to de-escalate incidents and work to house
our homeless population. The CIRCLE (Crisis and Incident Response through Community-
Led Engagement} program is designed to help law enforcement focus on crime
suppression and prevention by diverting non-emergency calls related to homelessness.
Proactive Embedded Response Teams (PERTs) will be deployed during the day, seven
days a week, in areas of high need within the service community.
Important number:
• Homeless quality of life issues, calls involving a member of a vulnerable population (i.e.,
child/family, medically frail individual, etc.) and requests for CIRCLE should all be directed
to 1-877-ASK-LAPD.
LAPD Northeast Division Senior Lead Officer Jose Ramirez and CIRCLE Program
Director Shannon Prior explained the new programs at a recent Silver Lake Together
community meeting.