Title
Reimagining Public Safety Discussion
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Engage in a discussion regarding opportunities and barriers that currently exist in addressing bias and inequities in the City's criminal justice system and areas where more learning is needed.
Report
Issue:
Whether to engage in a discussion regarding opportunities and barriers that currently exist in addressing bias and inequities in the City's criminal justice system and areas where more learning is needed. Receive an update on the Reimagining Public Safety engagement process and timeline.
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager - Strategic Initiatives, 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Stacey Ray, Strategic Planning & Performance Manager
Kerensa Mabwa, Athena Group
Paul Horton, Athena Group
Background and Analysis:
In Spring 2021, the City of Olympia is launching an inclusive, community-led, and community-wide public engagement process to reimagine public safety. The purpose of the process is to provide the City Council with recommendations that will reduce inequities, eliminate bias, and create a public safety system that works for all. The public engagement process is being guided by the City Council's Ad Hoc Committee on Public Safety.
In anticipation of the formal launch of the public engagement process, City staff have been gathering information to understand current perceptions and community members' understanding of Olympia's criminal justice system. This research includes confidential stakeholder interviews and a statistically valid community survey regarding public safety and policing.
As part of the information gathering process, the Ad Hoc Committee on Public Safety and the project team would like to hear from the full City Council. The primary purpose of this work session is to have a facilitated discussion where Councilmembers can share with o...
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