Title
Reimagining Public Safety Process Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive an update on the Reimagining Public Safety process
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive an update on the Reimagining Public Safety process
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Strategic Planning and Performance Manager, Office of Performance and Innovation, 360.753.8046
Presenter(s):
Stacey Ray, Strategic Planning and Performance Manager
Background and Analysis:
In February 2021, the Olympia City Council approved a community-led process to reimagine public safety for the City, with a goal of producing a public safety system that fosters trust and works for everyone.
The City launched this community-led and inclusive process in July 2021 to evaluate and make recommendations for enhancing its public-safety system. While recognizing that many far-reaching societal factors can influence public safety in general, this process looks specifically at the City’s public safety system, including areas like policing, corrections, prosecution, defense, courts, and medical and fire response.
The process is being led by a Community Work Group made up of nine community members who represent a cross-section of Olympia’s demographics, expertise, and experiences. They are dedicated to listening deeply, working collaboratively with each other, and reflecting what they hear from the community.
Continuing through July 2022, the reimagining process will culminate with the Community Work Group delivering a set of recommendations to the City Council for how to ensure the City’s public safety system is based on trust, justice, equity and without bias.
To develop their recommendations, the Community Work Group will host listening-and-learning sessions to hear individuals’ experiences connecting to the City’s public-safety system, how the system responds to the needs of community members, and how it supports those who are navigating through it and transitioning into the community.
The purpose of this agenda item is for staff to provide an update on the Reimagining Public Safety public engagement schedule, the Community Work Group’s proposed list of listening-and-learning sessions, introduction to the new consultant team, and communications strategies for informing and engaging community members. Staff will also seek Committee member input on proposed objectives and approach to hosting a special meeting between the City Council and non-profit organizations on April 12, 2022.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is broad community member interest in the City hosting a community engagement process to reimagine public safety in Olympia.
Options:
1. Receive the briefing.
2. Do not receive the briefing.
3. Receive the briefing at another time.
Financial Impact:
The City’s approved 2021 Operating Budget included $100,000 to support the Reimagining Public Safety process.
Attachments:
Project Overview
Link to Engage Olympia
Listening and Learning Sessions