Over the past eighteen months the City of Santa Cruz has suffered a series of violent crimes, endemic downtown and public space social issues, and a widespread malaise about our public safety. What was once one of a handful of important “things to be done” has become a priority.
In April the Council formed a task force to study those things that we could do to improve both our collective sense of security and our FBI statistics. The Chamber’s October 16 luncheon will feature a mid-project report on what that task force has heard about questions such as:
Mayor Hilary Bryant, Task Force Chair Kris Reyes, and Task Force member Reyna Ruiz, will describe the public process that led to the Task Force and summarize some of the compelling and insightful information gathered over the past five months. Local crime and public safety statistics are not good by anyone’s standards with remarkably high per-capita property crime data as well as unacceptably high levels of juvenile violence.
The Task Force has heard from police, sheriff, the district attorney’s office and the superior courts. Each has clear and immediate priorities, some well aligned, others less so. The Task Force has also heard from those addressing drug and alcohol issues, those working on social and economic environment that draws young people into gangs, and those confronting the structural and policy issues that have permitted homelessness to become a significant contributor to our sense of eroding public safety.
While it is clear from all reports that something must be done, what should be priorities is less certain. There are serious disagreements between professional sectors such as law enforcement, the courts, homeless services, incarceration services, and rehabilitation services about what will work. And, there are wide-ranging opinions and strategies within the services sectors about what is worth doing.
We continue to be a high-per-capita contributor to homeless services but also struggle with the significant impacts of the homeless in our commercial areas. “Isolated” incidents of violence by people who are drawn to Santa Cruz are beginning to feel not so isolated with some suggesting that the community needs to change its reputation as an “easy” community in which to “get by.” Others argue that criminal diversion programs, substance abuse and mental health treatments, and other interventions will be key.
Drawing a set of recommendations for action from these months of information gathering is the Task Forces next challenge. Join us to October 16 to learn more about the scope of the problems, the recommendations made by local professionals to address these problems, and expectations for a process to make changes in public policies and investments.
All luncheon participants will receive a briefing booklet providing an overview of issues and links to Task Force materials.
Kris Reyes is the Director of General Services & External Relations for the Santa Cruz Seaside Company. A 1992 graduate from Santa Cruz High, he has a bachelors degree in history from Texas A&M University. Prior to returning to Santa Cruz he served as a legislative director in the Texas legislature. He was appointed by Mayor Bryant to chair the Task Force on Public Safety in April, 2013.
Cocoanut Grove $37.50 members, $50 non-members $285 for a table of 8
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