1 Jones, Michael (CMO)
From: Agendadesk
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 2:42 PM
To: Jones, Michael (CMO)
Subject: Fw: REAL comments on 911 analysis agenda item - PSFSS October 17 Attachments: _REAL Community Safety WG 911 call letter October 2024.pdf
From: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 2:38 PM
To: Agendadesk <[email protected]>
Subject: Fw: REAL comments on 911 analysis agenda item - PSFSS October 17
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From: Matt King <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 2:28 PM
To: Jimenez, Sergio <[email protected]>; Ramirez, Lucas <[email protected]>; Torres, Omar <[email protected]>; Arreola, Kiara <[email protected]>; Kamei, Rosemary <[email protected]>; Zeelig, Aaron <[email protected]>; Fleming, Jonathan <[email protected]>; Doan, Bien <[email protected]>; Batra, Arjun <[email protected]>; Dexter, Michele <[email protected]> Cc: Westphal, Thomas <[email protected]>; Mohsen, Raania <[email protected]>; Kenney, Kailyn <[email protected]>; Matt King <[email protected]>; City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: REAL comments on 911 analysis agenda item - PSFSS October 17
Hello,
Thank you for reviewing and responding to our attached comments. We look forward to continued discussion.
m
[External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.] You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important 2 Matt King
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Policy Director
Sacred Heart Community Service
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October 16, 2024Viaelectronicmail
Re: Optionsfor ExpandingAlternativeResponseandCo-ResponseProgramsto911CallsforService.
Dear Chair JimenezandcommitteemembersTorres, Doan, Kamei andBatra, Thisletter waspreparedandsubmittedbythecommunitysafetyworkgroupof theREALCoalition.
Wewritetodaytoshareour thoughtsandfeedbackregardingitem(d)3ontheOctober 17agendafor thePublicSafety, Finance, andStrategicSupport Committee(PSFSS), OptionsforExpandingAlternativeResponseandCo-ResponseProgramsto911Callsfor Service.
REALRecommendationsWeaskmembersof PSFSStodefer acceptingthereport anddirect staff toreturnwithin60dayswith:1. Updatedrecommendationstoincreaseinvestment inexistingandnewalternativeresponseoptions.2. Anofficial, writtenresponsefromtheCaliforniaDepartment of HealthCareServicesastothelegalityof fundingTRUSTwithOpioidSettlement Funds.
DiscussionWearegrateful for thesincereandthoughtful engagement we’vereceivedfromThomasWestphal, RaaniaMohsenandKailynKenney. They'vebeengenerouswiththeir timeandcuriosity, andinseveral waysthestaff memoreflectstheir commitment tolisteningtocommunitymemberswithdirect livedexperience. Wearepleasedtoseestaff actingexpedientlytoensurethemoneyset asidefor TRUSTresultsinexpandingtheserviceinSanJosé.
That said, weareconcernedthat thememobeforeyouthisweek, inserviceof meetingthedirectionofferedbytheCityCouncil inFebruary, fallsshort inmeetingtheneedsof communitymemberslivingwithdisabilities, whoareespeciallyvulnerabletomistreatment bylawenforcement, especiallywhentheyarealsopeopleof color.
Wethinkthestaff memo:● Contradictsthespirit of itsownfindings.● Offersnothingnewfor alternativeresponseoptions.● Promotesco-responseoptionsthat put theonusof safetyoncommunitymembersinsteadof lawenforcement.● Failstoaddressdisabilitiesother thanmental health, developmental disabilitiesorsubstanceabusedisorder.● Acceptsapartially-informeddecisionbytheCityAttorneythat TRUSTcannot befundedwithOpioidSettlement Funds.
REAL’sresponsetostaff findings
Finding#1communitypreferencefor alternativeresponseThefirst finding, that membersof disabledcommunitiesandtheir representatives, preferalternativeresponseprogramsover co-responseprograms(withlawenforcement), isthekeyfinding, andall decisionsmadebycityofficialsshouldfollowfromit.
Finding#2standardsfor crisisinterventiontrainingThereport comparestrainingprovidedbytheSanJoséPoliceDepartment toother jurisdictionsbut failstoconsider howeffectivelyit’smeetingtheneedsandprotectingthesafetyofcommunitymembers. Therecommendationsdonot account for feedbackprovidedbycommunitymembers, or grapplewiththefindingthat outcomesfor peoplewithdisabilitiesinteractingwithlawenforcement areworsening, asdetailedbythisCaliforniaReportingProjectInvestigation. ThecityshouldcomeupwithaplantoindependentlyevaluateCITtrainingtodeterminetheroot causeof worseningoutcomes, ensuringthetrainingisevaluatedbyindividualsandorganizationswithlivedexperienceandadisabilityjusticelens.
Finding#3co-response: disabilityAsthestaff report details, “Manycommunitymembersandadvocatesalsosupportedprioritizingfurther investment andresourcesinalternativeresponseandcommunity-basedprogramsoverco-responseprograms, asalternativeteamresponsecancreatemoreequitableoutcomesforcommunitiesof color andothersdisproportionatelyimpactedbythecriminal justicesystem.”(emphasisadded). Andit alsorecognized, “...national best practicesfor providingmental healthservices" donot support co-responseasnotedbytheSubstanceAbuseandMental HealthServicesAdministrationreport. (emphasisadded) Wedoagreewiththerecommendationtohiremorecliniciansandotherswiththeskillstocommunicatewithpeoplewithparticular disabilities, suchasthosefluent inAmericanSignLanguage.
Whiledetailingco-responsemodelsinother jurisdictions, thestaff memoisnot tellingtheentirestory. Chicagorecentlydecidedtoeliminateco-responsemodels, andtherearependingAmericanswithDisabilitieslawsuitspendinginOregonandWashingtonD.C.
SanJoséshouldstrivetoremovearmedofficersfromasmanysituationsaspossibleratherthanput theonusof safetyoncommunitymembers, asdetailedinseveral examplesfromotherjurisdictionscitedinthestaff memo.
Finding#4911to988transferWeagreewiththespirit of therecommendationbut it isvagueandlimited. Thecityneedstoexplorespecificopportunities, likereferringyouthcallstotheMobileResponseandStabilizationServices, andidentifyingspecificcall typesthat canbehandledbysomeoneother thanlawenforcement, likewelfarechecks. Wenoteandappreciatethelanguageinthereport detailing citystaff’scontinuedeffortstoreachanagreement withthecountyonfurther 911to988transfers.
Finding#5TRUSTpilotWeapplaudthecityfor contributingtoTRUSTexpansionandexpect toseefurther investmentintheFiscal 2026budget.
Finding#6opioidfundingThecityneedstoseekanofficial rulingfromtheCaliforniaDepartment of HealthCareServicesonthelegalityof usingthismoneytofundTRUST.
Finding#7988educationAsmentionedinthestaff memo, thecityshouldidentifywhowill dothiseducationandoutreachwork, andfundit.
Findings#8and#9relatedtodomesticviolenceWefindthecity’sapproachherewell-intentionedbut missingthefull rangeof evidence-basedoptions. Similar toco-responsefor peoplewithdisabilities, thereisagreat deal of evidencethatalternativeresponseprogramsareneededtoensurepeoplesubjectedtointimatepartner andinterpersonal violenceget thesupport andservicestheyneed. Welookforwardtoengaginginthepilot for community-ledservicesandagreetheresultsof that pilot shouldinformnext stepsandfurther investmentsinIPVprogramming.
Thankyouagainfor thehardandthoughtful workpresentedbycitystaff, and for yourconsiderationof our recommendations. Asalways, westandreadytoworktogether tocreateacitywhereeveryonehashealth, safetyandsuccess.
Inpartnership,
CommunitySafetyWorkgroupof theREALCoalition
Cc: ThomasWestphal, RaaniaMohsen, KailynKenn
About theREALCoalitionTheREALcommunityof SiliconValleybasednonprofit leadersandallieshasbeenmeetingsinceJune2020touseour positional power toadvocatefor amoreracially-just andequitablesociety; toestablishapeer networkof leaderscommittedtofightingwhitesupremacyandsystemicracisminourselvesandour institutions; andtoholdeachother accountabletothepromiseswemadeintheNonprofit Racial EquityPledge.TheREALcoalitionisbroadlyrepresentativeof thenonprofit communityincludinghumanandcommunityservices, behavioralhealthandhealth, artsandculture, domesticviolence, older adults, foodsecurity, education,environmental, farming, legal, disabilityrights, LGTBQrights, ethnic, immigrant rights, housingandhomelessness, criminal justicereform, urbanplanning, andintermediaryorganizations, andothers. Over 125organizationshaveparticipatedintheREALCoalition.