HPD CAPTAIN BENTSEN CIVIL PROCESS
Channel: civicusa11
Date: 02/01/2023

On November 17, 2015, the City of Hesperia adopted its Crime-Free Rental Program based on the statements of former Hesperia Police Department Captain Nils Bentsen's assertion that criminals and criminal activity is directly related to rental housing.  

On December 14, The United States Department of Justice issued a  press release announcing a landmark settlement was reached with the City of Hesperia, its police department, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department over allegations it targeted Black and Latino Renters through its Crime-Free Rental Program.   

This video is of former Hesperia Police Department Captain Nils Bentsen informing Hesperia's City Council Members that a tenant suspected of criminal activity under Hesperia's Crime-Free Rental Program, does not have to be arrested, charged, or prosecuted for a crime to be evicted under the program because it is a civil process.  

DOJ concluded HPD firmly enforced the ordinance, regularly evicting tenants despite no conviction or court judgment, even a 911-call for service, a negative law enforcement action, or multiple response citation, or multiple calls for a noise disturbance resulted in evictions.