Sagers said alcohol and the death of his mother on Christmas morning several years ago caused a downhill slide in his life. Sagers said he does get seasonal work as a cook and officers check in on him regularly, trying to coax him off the streets.

"People have to be ready," said Giraldo. "I mean, if they're not ready, they won't do anything about it."

Members of the team have also been instrumental in helping solve crimes when detectives in other division have hit dead ends in trying to find a wanted person. Wick said because of the contacts the team has made, they've been able to track down witnesses and suspects in crimes who were either homeless or hiding within the homeless population.