Item B: Public Safety Task Force Update

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Explanation: After thinking about the focus on illegal drugs and alcohol abuse, the leaders and managers of the county's public safety system believe that achievement of these four goals offers the best opportunity of reducing the rate of re-offending within the public safety system. A reduction in the rate of recidivism will increase public safety in the community and will make the overall system more efficient and more cost-effective. Proarams and Services to Achieve Goals The Task Force received a large volume of information from county public safety staff on ways to focus on illegal drugs and alcohol abuse and work toward achieving the four goals. There were a considerable nwnber of questions asked of staff, followed by answers. Many of the memos answering questions are in Section 4 of this report Recommendation: The Task Force recommends that the Board of Commissioners consider funding a list of programs and services that total $24,530,000. A description of the programs and services is in Section 3 of this report. The programs are directly related to the focus and to achieving the four goals. Explanation: Our world has changed and the public safety system needs serious restructuring to make it relevant for today's problems. Increasing drug use, especially methamphetamine, is fueling or contributing to many types of serious crime. We must allocate our resources better and apply a system of solutions that addresses the root problems of crime. Only in this way can we hope to produce a public safety system that makes the best use of public money-a system that works effectively. Research and practice show that it takes this type of system to make a difference. The list of programs and services may look like a "typical" Christmas tree approach where everyone gets a present. This is not the case. Staffpresented and the Task Force is recommending programs and services that will offer sophisticated outcome measurement, performance standards, evidence-based programs, accountability, and the use of best practices. It is the combination of these services that will ultimately hold offenders accountable and reduce crime. Financina Proarams. and Services Recommendation: None. The Task Force was not able to reach a supermajority vote on a financing option for the programs and services. Explanation: Please refer to the minutes of meetings for September 8 and September 28 for a complete summary of Task Force deliberations on financing options. At the Task Force's September 28th meeting, there was considerable discussion of a proposal by Commissioner Faye Stewart for use of a sales tax to fmance public safety services. The motion to approve his proposal modified it slightly by making it clear that prescription drugs and food would not be taxed" The motion achieved nine votes of the 10 needed for a supermajority. Later, his same basic proposal, using a gross receipts tax on businesses as the funding option, Executive Summary - Lane County Public Safety Task Force Final Report 5