A two-person team in Marysville uses compassion, connection and consequences to make a meaningful difference there. The city’s Community Assistance for Resources and Empowerment (CARE) Team is turning mandatory minimum sentencing laws into a gateway for recovery.
When individuals are repeatedly arrested for public disorder offenses, such as third-degree theft, criminal trespassing, vehicle prowling, public drug use and malicious mischief, they now face required jail time, but they also have the option to petition for treatment instead. That moment creates a critical opening for the CARE Team to step in, offering support, resources and a path forward.
By pairing enforcement with real opportunities for change, the team is helping break the cycle of addiction-driven crime and restoring stability to lives and neighborhoods. Of the 32 people eligible for support since the start of the year, 16 of those individuals voluntarily interacted with the CARE Team. Out of those 16 participants, 93 percent accepted resources, and 75 percent went through the drug assessment process, which led to housing for some. It’s a clear sign that when enforcement is paired with treatment, lives can change and the cycle of criminality can be broken.
The team’s success relies on the collaboration between Officer Bryant Gerfin and Case Manager Juli Hastings, who conduct assessments, coordinate treatment plans and connect clients 
with housing and recovery resources. Hastings plays a critical behind-the-scenes role, often working directly with individuals coming out of jail, living in encampments or referred through partner agencies. She facilitates drug and alcohol assessments and draws on her extensive knowledge of local services, including Alpine Recovery and Catholic Community Services to help clients access treatment and housing. Hastings also ensures that individuals remain in compliance with court and housing requirements, often compiling clinical documentation and coordinating with providers to support long-term stability.
Client Casey Bryner credits the CARE Team with helping him find hope and stability after years of substance use and legal struggles. Bryner said he met Hastings and Gerfin during a low point in his life, when he was cycling through jail stays and missing court dates. 
The team helped him find clean and sober housing, stay connected to treatment and navigate the legal system.
“They gave me the desire to be clean,” Bryner said. “They helped me realize I could be the person I was a few years ago. I just had to follow the steps and accept the help they offered.”
Officer Bryant Gerfin said the CARE Team’s outreach is shaped by firsthand knowledge of how addiction and homelessness affect both individuals and neighborhoods. He described how people living in greenbelts and wooded areas near suburban homes often remain out of sight but still impact the surrounding community. Visible crimes such as retail theft and public disorder erode the sense of safety and livability for residents and businesses.
Gerfin emphasized that the team goes directly to where people are, whether on the street or in encampments to offer services, while also enforcing local laws when behavior threatens public well-being. He says that the team expects individuals to take minimal steps to engage in programs, and that each interaction matters. “In this line of work, you realize right away that every interaction impacts the next…we deal with a small portion of society, and we do our best to meet them in the moment and treat them well.”
Having served in narcotics enforcement, Gerfin understands the importance of balancing accountability with compassion. “People need the caring and compassion that goes with outreach … how can we work together to get you into housing or re-engage with family?’ I remind them they’re human and walk beside them, not for them. That promotes their success.”
Gerfin emphasized that the challenges CARE addresses are not unique to Marysville. “This isn’t just a Marysville problem, it’s a regional and national one,” he said. “We need other agencies, and we need accountability and discipline. When frustrations build, it’s important to remember the bigger picture.”
Chief Erik Scairpon said the CARE team embodies the department’s commitment to long-term solutions. “Their work goes beyond enforcement,” Scairpon said. “It’s about bridging service gaps, reducing recidivism and improving quality of life, for individuals who need support and for the community. That kind of impact doesn’t happen by accident.”
A case manager at a short-term residential facility that provides behavioral health support and treatment referrals for adults with substance use disorders, said the CARE Team’s impact is felt far beyond city limits. He said, “They take people from hopelessness to hope..There’s nothing better than seeing someone go from talking to a garbage can to talking about how beautiful their life is. What they do is massively beneficial to our community, and they do it the right way with compassion and accountability.”
Gerfin added that collaboration is key when facing barriers. “There are times we hit a dead end, and a case worker from another team steps in with a resource we didn’t know about. In this field, teams lean on teams. That’s why these relationships matter.”
Across the country, individuals struggling with substance use disorders often cycle through emergency rooms, jails and shelters without ever receiving the long-term help they need. Marysville is working to change that. It’s a public safety strategy rooted in accountability and recovery, driven by collaboration between the Marysville Police Department, City Council and Mayor’s Office. “This is what leadership looks like,” said Chief Erik Scairpon. “When city leaders work together, we can stop the cycle, connect people to care and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.”