Community Outreach Team

The Community Outreach Team is made up of officers from the Arlington and Marysville, Snohomish County Deputies, and Snohomish County social workers that work with homeless individuals to get the help they need to get off the streets and back on their feet.

Officer Ken Thomas and the assigned social worker focus on our community's homeless and addicted adults, getting them connected with services including rehab, drug addiction treatment, housing, transportation, and more.

What We Can Do

Are you 18 or older, homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, and fighting drug or alcohol addiction? We can help get you off the streets and into rehab and housing. The City of Arlington Police Department is working with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office of Neighborhoods to bring services to the streets to aid homeless and addicted citizens.

We Can Help With

• Getting ID, EBT, and DSHS benefits
• Scheduling chemical dependency assessment
• Scheduling mental health assessment
• Arranging detox
• Arranging outpatient drug/alcohol treatment
• Arranging inpatient drug/alcohol treatment
• Arranging sober housing after treatment
• Arranging transportation for clients engaged in the program
• Arranging admission and transportation to the Diversion Center in Everett for anyone who wants off the streets today.

Arlington's Proactive Measures Improving Homelessness

(5-2-2024) Arlington, Washington, is not facing more homelessness or related challenges compared to other local communities. Across California, Oregon, and Washington, over 180,000 homeless people are on the streets. 8 out of 10 cities with the highest homelessness rates are on the West Coast, indicating a widespread issue with few exceptions in Washington. 

The geographical truth about the Smokey Point area in Arlington, is that it is attractive to homeless people.  

Within walking distance of I-5 exit 206 are:

• A rest stop at exit 207 (unauthorized camping)
• Stillaguamish Behavioral Health, offering a full adult program for mental health and substance use treatment  (services)
• Grocery stores and convenience stores (food)
• Smokey Point Community Transit Center, a major hub for regional transit options (transportation)
• Wooded areas on and near the airport (unauthorized camping)

Proactive Measures

As many cities grapple with homelessness challenges, Arlington stands out for proactive measures taken to address homelessness and related conditions. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the Arlington Police Department's Embedded Social Worker Program/Community Outreach Team, the situation is improving.

At the heart of our improvements are Officer Ken Thomas and Social Worker Calei Vaughn, a co-response team who embody compassion and dedication. They are committed to addressing issues affecting our community members, including homelessness, substance addiction, and mental health. The resources they bring to their clients have proven to be highly effective in making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

The program’s distinguishing characteristic is its proactive approach. Officer Thomas and Social Worker Vaughn are not waiting for problems to escalate. They are visible and engaged with homeless citizens, reaching out to those in need. They conduct checks at camps, cars, parks, and businesses, ensuring everyone is accounted for and connected with the necessary resources. Their efforts have yielded remarkable results.

Community Education and Outreach

Success is not just about enforcement. Officer Thomas and Social Worker Vaughn also play an essential role in community education and outreach. They work collaboratively with local and state services, providing assistance and education to community members and service providers.

The 111 enforcements related to trespassing, parking, camping, and other arrests, are actions taken to improve community safety and well-being. By addressing issues proactively, the Embedded Social Worker Program helps prevent situations from escalating, ultimately creating a safer environment for all.

As we move forward, let us continue to appreciate and support the work of Officer Thomas, Social Worker Vaughn, and the entire Arlington Police Department. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our community’s most in need.

If You Would Like to Help

If you are an owner of a business building, please:  

• Cover your outdoor outlets (used to charge cellphones for free)
• Light your interior after hours (may decrease criminal activity)
• Cover graffiti as soon as it appears (discourages additional graffiti)
• Trim shrubs around your business (discourages small camps)
• Remove litter from your area (discourages squatters)

If you are an Arlington resident, please:

• Do not give cash or gift cards to panhandlers (used to buy drugs and sex).  Instead, donate to a local non-profit, like Volunteers of America’s Arlington Community Resource Center, or the Arlington Community Food Bank, or the city’s Flex Fund.
• Give only healthy foods, not candy or highly processed foods (artificial colors, preservatives and sugar are triggers for relapse).
• Call 911 with specific details of what you’re seeing. Reporting helps us see where the issues are. 

If you belong to a community group:

Ask the City for opportunities to pick up litter or paint over graffiti, email info@arlingtonwa.gov 

To ask questions or volunteer:

APD non-emergency line:   425-407-3999, available 24hours day/7days week

To report a nuisance property: Citizen Portal (iworq.net)

To donate locally:

City of Arlington Flex Fund: 360-403-3421