Item:
Title
Discussion on the Joint Durham Community Safety & Wellness Task Force (30min)
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: September 28, 2020
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to receive an update from Vice Chair James Hill, Jr.
This update will include information for a discussion on the bylaws for the Joint Durham Community Safety & Wellness Task Force. A task force which consists of partnership with the City of Durham and Durham Public Schools.
In the Spring of 2019, during conversations about the Durham Police Department's budget, community members requested that the City of Durham create a task force to explore and recommend community-based public safety models and interventions. City council members and staff believe that this effort will be best served by the participation of both Durham County, which administers and funds public health initiatives, and Durham County Public Schools. As a result, this proposal will create a joint task force with the City of Durham, Durham County, and Durham County Public Schools as partners. This joint community-led task force will be charged with examining the public safety & wellness needs of Durham residents and communities, educating residents on existing safety and wellness resources, and providing recommendations for additional programs to enhance public safety and wellness by focusing on community-based prevention, intervention, and re-entry services.
After multiple discussions, the City Council approved the bylaws at their March 2, 2020 meeting. Mayor Pro Tempore Jillian Johnson stated the Council agreed to commit $1 million dollars towards investments that the task force recommends that would fall under the City's purview.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This item aligns with Strategic Goal 2: Health and Well Being for All and Goal 3: Safe Community
Resource Persons: James Hill, Jr., Vice Chair of the Board of County Commissioners
County Manager's Recommendation: The County M...
Click here for full text