Lighthouse Navigation Center official outlines drug policies, what’s expected of those staying at Bend shelter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- An alleged fentanyl trafficker, his brother and girlfriend were arrested earlier this week, accused of dealing the drug around a Bend homeless shelter. On Wednesday, we explored the Bend's Lighthouse Navigation Centers policies aimed at preventing drug use.

The navigation center offers 24-hour support for the homeless, providing shelter and resources. 

"Our goal is to try to allow folks to access the resources as easily as possible, while also trying to maintain a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment," Evan Hendrix, director of navigation services for  Shepherd's House Ministries, said Wednesday. "As you might imagine, that gets a bit tricky around things like substances or other prohibited items."

The shelter has guidelines that are shared by staff when people first use their services, including no physical violence, no use of substances on site and no dealing or trafficking of any substances there as well. 

Daytime Safety Coordinator Todd Johnson said, "Sometimes we'll get tips or information that we can give way to the law enforcement to help them in their investigations and such."

When drugs are found on site, such as suspected fentanyl, Bend police are immediately contacted. If use is suspected in a particular room, a private agency is called to clean it. 

If someone is found with drugs or is using on site, they are asked to leave. 

Hendrix said, "If we have an individual that is refusing to cooperate with the separation, meaning they have broken one of the guidelines for the grounds for separations and are refusing to leave the property and/or posing a threat to our community, we immediately call 911. Once we invite the police into the conversation, for us, that moves from separation to illegal trespass."

In regards to trespass -- for a  minor infraction like having alcohol and marijuana. It also includes abusive conduct and a disregard for the "Good Neighbor" agreement -- people are not allowed back on navigation center property for 30 days, After that time, staff will talk with the person to determine if they'll be allowed back.

In cases of physical violence or drug trafficking, they will be excluded from the center for six months.

Johnson said, "People become escalated, and we try and provide a listening ear for those and maybe redirect them a little bit. It tends to work better than then just, you know, 'Here are what we expect to what we need from you.'"

The shelter welcomes people on a walk-up basis and takes referrals from community service agencies and resource providers.