Safe and Healthy Communities – Budget Priorities
On September 29, neighbors and community members convened for a second public forum in District 6 to discuss concerns and possible solutions towards safe and healthy communities, with a focus on budget priorities. Attendees participated in facilitated discussions in four umbrella categories:
- Immediate Harm Reduction;
- Role of Law Enforcement;
- Access to Immediate Shelter for Unhoused Individuals; and
- Large-Scale Solutions.
You can take a look at the raw notes from the discussion here. From our attendees at the forum, and additional public comment we’ve received, there seems to broad support for the following items:
- Harm-reduction initiatives like a rapid-response garbage pickup hotline and access to public restrooms;
- Law enforcement more present in community and focused on community policing, crime prevention, and case management;
- Immediate services such as low-barrier shelters, more day shelters, more sanctioned encampments, storage lockers to protect belongings, and designated safe places to park (without removing parking restrictions throughout the neighborhood);
- More housing, increased funding for mental health and substance abuse services, and a centralized navigation center to connect individuals in need to services
As budget deliberations are currently underway, I will work to ensure these items are included in the 2017-2018 budget. I am hopeful that, with your support, we can move these items to the forefront of the conversation.
In Community,
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