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The county is legally responsible for prevention, intervention, treatment, judicial, incarceration and post - <br />incarceration services, but they currently don't have the resources to pay for them. <br />We expect new directions from the county and look forward to the recommendations of a community <br />committee led by Jean Tate and Dave Frohnmayer that is working on some "out of the box" solutions. <br />We'll be supportive as they move forward. <br />City Services - At the City level we're addressing our public safety needs in new and innovative ways. <br />Chief Kerns initiated strategies to reduce car theft and other property crimes through targeted deployment <br />and increased use of data. He has a task force focused on downtown- specific strategies. He instituted <br />additional crisis intervention trainings to ensure our officers have tools to deal effectively with people in <br />crisis, including those with mental illness. This should help with a number of the behavioral issues in our <br />downtown. <br />We appreciate the work of the Police Commission and Human Rights Commission as we work to create a <br />safe environment for all whom live here, no matter their circumstances. <br />Network Charter School youth are also part of our public safety solution. We look to them for leadership <br />and partnership. We understand that youth need good, safe places to go. <br />Once again, the Eugene Rotarians have stepped forward to help provide such places and we thank them. <br />By supporting the transformation of Washington/Jefferson Park to a regional skating facility close to our <br />downtown core, Rotarians will help displace some criminal activity, reinvigorate an ailing park and <br />demonstrate to our youth that they matter. That's great partnership. <br />Increased positive activity in our downtown, increased numbers of officers, combined with help from <br />neighbors, businesses, agencies and non - profits will be needed to solve all our public safety issues. <br />• Fire and EmeMenc,y ►Services <br />Fire and Emergency Medical Services is another part of our public safety system that is strained and we're <br />looking for solutions. Providing ambulance services remains far more expensive than the Medicare <br />reimbursements received. We've taken steps to use a private company for transporting non - emergency <br />patients in order to reduce costs. We are looking for other ways to address costs and to continue the high <br />level of service our fire department provides. <br />A second issue is whether to merge the Springfield and Eugene fire departments to cut costs and improve <br />efficiencies. These two departments have shown they work well together through their "Third Battalion," <br />where each department steps in if the other is not available. It is a huge local control decision to merge <br />two cities' core services. <br />Recommendations for both ambulance and fire services will move forward in the next year and we will <br />need your input. <br />r Rnrinl. Sprvi.res <br />One of the biggest questions we ask ourselves is how the community can better address homelessness. <br />We've worked together successfully to better meet needs with public /private partnerships such as <br />Project Homeless Connect and the Thomas Eagan Warming Centers. We've recently affirmed through <br />council resolution the rights of those with mental illness. <br />MINUTES- --City Council January 5, 2010 Page 5 <br />