EL CAJON, CA –I am deeply concerned about the recent events surrounding the County Equus homeless voucher program. The program, intended to assist individuals in need, has once again failed to protect our community. A recent incident involving a felon in the program raises serious questions about its efficacy and safety for our residents.
Last night, around 11:45 PM, El Cajon police officers began receiving Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) alerts regarding a stolen vehicle near West Main Street and Marshall Avenue. Acting swiftly and responsibly, one of our officers located the stolen vehicle, a 2020 Kia Optima, parked at the Relax Inn & Suites. To our dismay, the person found inside the stolen car was 48-year-old Aaron Taylor, a participant in the County Equus homeless voucher program.
Aaron Taylor, a felon with an extensive history of arrests, was found to have methamphetamine when apprehended for the stolen vehicle.
This incident is a glaring example of the failures within the County Hotel program, which is meant to provide shelter and assistance to those in need but has instead put our community at risk.
The recent arrest of a felon within the County Equus program, involving stolen property and drugs, highlights once again the need for a thorough reevaluation of this program.
I call upon the county authorities to take immediate action to rectify the deficiencies within the County Equus program, ensuring that individuals who threaten our community are not placed into housing situations where they can continue to engage in criminal activities.
