Title
Reimagining Public Safety Progress Report Implementation Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive an update on the implementation of the Reimagining Public Safety recommendations as accepted by the City Council on December 6, 2022. Provide input on areas to prioritize action going forward and the process for prioritizing, tracking and regularly reporting on shared goals and strategies identified in the recommendations.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive an update on the implementation of the Reimagining Public Safety recommendations as accepted by the City Council on December 6, 2022 and provide input on areas to prioritize action going forward and the process for prioritizing, tracking and regularly reporting on shared goals and strategies identified in the recommendations.
Staff Contact:
Margo Morales, Community Engagement Program Specialist, City Manager’s Office, 360.753.8150
Presenter(s):
Stacey Ray, Assistant City Manager
Margo Morales, Community Engagement Program Specialist
Background and Analysis:
In February 2021, in the wake of civil unrest and community calls for social justice, the Olympia City Council launched a community-led process to reimagine the City of Olympia’s public safety system.
A Community Work Group made up of eight community members, representing a cross-section of demographics, expertise, and lived experiences, led an 18-month effort to understand how Olympia community members experience public safety. The role of the Community Work Group was to learn about Olympia’s public safety system; deeply listen to community members’ experiences, concerns, hopes and dreams; and synthesize what they heard into a recommendation for the City Council.
The Olympia City Council formally accepted the Community Work Group’s recommendations on December 6, 2022 (attached). The final recommendations include four guiding principles, five goals, 21 strategies, and numerous actions.
The City Council included in their 2026 work plan a comprehensive update on what’s been accomplished since the recommendations were accepted in 2022. Over the last several months, staff from the various parts of the City’s public safety system have conducted a detailed review of what recommended actions and strategies have been addressed to date. That information has been compiled into both a spreadsheet and a summary report (attached).
The draft version of this report has been shared with the original community workgroup members to continue to keep them informed. Staff also shared the draft with the Social Justice and Equity Commission for feedback on what areas they view as a priority for action by the City going forward. A comment letter from the Social Justice and Equity Commission is attached.
The purpose of this agenda item is for staff to provide the City Council with an update on the Reimagining Public Safety recommendation implementation efforts, including selected highlights of what’s been accomplished.
Staff will also seek input from Council on areas to prioritize action going forward and the process for prioritizing, tracking and regularly reporting on shared goals and strategies identified in the recommendations.
Climate Analysis:
This is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
The Community Work Group tasked with developing recommendations was representative of a cross-section of demographics, expertise, and experience. They lead this process through learning about Olympia’s public safety system; deeply listening to community members’ experiences, concerns, hopes and dreams; and coalescing what they heard into a recommendation. The recommendations are for a public safety system that fosters trust and works for everyone and are inclusive of the diverse community needs and experiences which informed the work.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Reimagining Public Safety process was initiated in response to community concerns and calls for social justice. Throughout the Work Group’s recommendation development process, and after the recommendations were accepted by the City Council, there has been a broad community interest in the work.
There has been specific interest expressed by the Thurston County Chapter of the NAACP in tracking the implementation of the recommendations and the closely related actions of the Civilian Police Auditor and Community Policing Board. Through public comment, their interests include therapeutic courts, building relationships with marginalized groups, and development of a workforce reflective of our community.
Financial Impact:
There is no financial impact created by this briefing. Funding for the individual programs and initiatives noted in the progress report has already been allocated and spent through the City's annual budget process. The Reimagining Public Safety recommendations will continue to inform the City's prioritization of resources and annual budget development process.
Options:
1. Receive an update on the implementation of the Reimagining Public Safety recommendations as accepted by the City Council on December 6, 2022. Provide input on areas to prioritize action going forward and the process for prioritizing, tracking and regularly reporting on shared goals and strategies identified in the recommendations.
2. Do not Receive an update on the implementation of the Reimagining Public Safety recommendations as accepted by the City Council on December 6, 2022 or provide input on areas to prioritize action going forward and the process for prioritizing, tracking and regularly reporting on shared goals and strategies identified in the recommendations.
3. Hold the discussion at another time.
Attachments:
Reimagining Public Safety Recommendations (Full)
Reimagining Public Safety Recommendations (Summary)
Reimagining Public Safety Summary Report
Reimagining Public Safety Progress Tracker
Social Justice and Equity Commission Comment Letter