Item B: Public Safety Task Force Update

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II Conclusions and Recommendations I The Public Safety Task Force met seven times between June 30 and September 28. They heard testimony from a number of citizens, received a large volume of information from city elected officials and from Lane County public safety staff, and debated issues for a number of hours. At the beginning of the decision-making process, the Task Force decided that eachjurisdiction (12 cities and the county) would have one vote, for a total of 13 possible votes. They also decided that the District Attorney and the Sheriff could be active participants in the debate and would have a chance to weigh-in on each motion prior to a vote by the Task Force. The Task Force decided that a "supermajority" of about 80 percent of jurisdictions would be necessary in order to pass a recommendation on to the Board of Commissioners. For example, on September 8, there were 12 jurisdictions present and the group decided that it would take 1 0 affirmative votes for a motion to pass. The conclusions and recommendations of the Public Safety Task Force are in four areas: Focus, Goals, Programs and Services to Achieve Goals, and Financing Programs and Services. Each of these is discussed next. Focus Recommendation: The Task Force recommends that, for at least the next jive years, Lane County's public safety system shouldfocus its efforts on illegal drugs and alcohol abuse. Explanation: The use of illegal drugs and abuse of alcohol-and predominantly methamphetamine-is without doubt the single most important factor associated with criminal behavior and frequent interaction with the public safety system. No matter what part of the system is analyzed-police services, prosecution, the courts, corrections, parole and probation, child welfare, the juvenile justice system, or mental health programs-drug and alcohol use always seem to be present" Li,:,~s are being ruined, innocent people are being victimized every day,~and the system is spending millions and millions of dollars each year trying to keep up. Goals Recommendation: Given the focus on illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol, the Task Force recommends that, for at least the next jive years, Lane County's public safety system should concentrate on achieving the followingfour goals, all related to drugs and alcohol: . Target these Groups for Special Action: illegal Drug Producers, Dealers, and Users and Target Property Criminals . Reduce Family Violence . Enhance Treatment Programs . Provide Prevention Programs Executive Summary - Lane County Public Safety Task Force Final Report 4