Almost 200 people have been helped off the streets of Tarpon Springs in the past three years thanks to the help of a patrol officer, a mental health caseworker and other resources around town.
The Tarpon Springs Police Department expanded Officer Jose Yourgules’ role in 2010. His added duties included the title of Homeless Outreach Officer.
“Yourgules has a real knack for dealing with these people,” Tarpon Springs Police Chief Robert Kochen said.
A handful of cities in Pinellas County have Homeless Outreach teams, but Yourgules, 46, is the lone Outreach Officer in Tarpon Springs due to the size of the department and the city.