By Zach Friend, Santa Cruz County Supervisor 2nd District
Public safety issues and criminal justice reforms are playing a significant role in national policy discussions. Locally, the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office and County Probation have all been recognized at the state and federal level for their innovative policy initiatives to address the root causes of public safety issues and provide services that attempt break the cycle of recidivism.
Full Staffing at Sheriff’s Department
Over the last year there have been a number of improvements and investments in local public safety, from increases in staffing to new approaches toward addressing long-term problems. For the first time since the beginning of the Great Recession the Sheriff’s Office is back at full staffing.
The Board of Supervisors added six Deputy Sheriff positions in this budget cycle to complement the seven added last year. Bringing the Sheriff’s Office back to full staffing improves coverage throughout our district. The Board of Supervisors’ investment in the Sheriff’s Office is a direct reflection of the outreach I’ve heard from people in my district about a desire for additional staffing.
Addressing Crimes Against Seniors
Also, in order to address growing concerns of crimes against seniors in our community, the Board of Supervisors added positions to the District Attorney’s Office to specifically help with crimes involving elder abuse, privacy issues and various forms of fraud against seniors.
These new positions in the District Attorney’s Office will help address the emerging issue of crimes against seniors.
Recover Center for the Intoxicated
Through Sheriff Jim Hart’s leadership the Sheriff’s Office applied for, and received, a grant to fund a Recovery Center this past year. The Board of Supervisors authorized allocation of funds for 10 beds, 24 hours per day, for qualified adult inebriates that would otherwise be booked into County Jail.
They are now offered an opportunity to go to the Recovery Center, receive treatment and not be subject to criminal prosecution. This helps put people on the road to recovery, takes this issue toward treatment rather than incarceration, and saves costs.
Public Services for Youthful Victims of Violence
Furthermore, to help provide comprehensive services for victims of violence the Board of Supervisors supported the Probation Department’s successful effort to obtain grant funding for a unique demonstration project.
The collaboration, between Probation and the Youth Violence Prevention Taskforce, provides a countywide system that provides comprehensive services for survivors of violence — particularly minority boys and young men.
Educational Safety Program For Elementary Schools
Lastly, the Sheriff’s Community Policing Office in Aptos began an educational safety program for 2nd grade children in Aptos elementary schools.
The Child Safety Program provides education about stranger safety, emergencies, what to do when lost, Internet safety, bullying, home safety, peer pressure, decision making, pedestrian and bicycle safety and providing tools to use when they come across situations with dangerous items such as medications, knives, and guns.
Retired teachers in cooperation with the schools and parent/teacher councils have developed the content and various teaching methods of this program.
This is just a short list of improvements and investments in the last year in local public safety.
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As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on public safety issues or any other issues of interest to you. Please feel free to call me at 454-2200.