"A lot of people think of a homeless person as somebody who doesn't have a place to stay, [Being homeless] is a much more complicated cycle of drugs, alcohol, mental illness and domestic violence," said former San Diego police Capt. William Maheu. Maheu started the program as a pilot effort to curb homelessness. It has since become a cornerstone of the city's measures and a model for other programs nationwide. Maheu says that HOT takes advantage of already available resources. "You get someone housing, into rehab and therapy and the next thing you know, you've gotten them off the street." By patrolling the doorways, bridges, parks and vacant lots of San Diego’s homeless, the team offers San Diego's homeless a way out.
