Key Points from my Perspective
◈ Citizens need more involvement and meaningful input as well involved in
implementation
◈ There is a missing component to addressing public safety that needs to be looked
at with fresh eyes
◈ Law enforcement can’t stop crime in a free society (I believe strongly in their daily
presence)
◈ In this area, it just can’t be on municipality or it will just push problems to
surrounding communities
◈ Need for a comprehensive process which work with existing efforts in presenting a
unified approach from the criminal justice system actors
◈ Have a plan that lays out a process
My Approach
STAGES
#1 State legislative changes on key issues within the justice system
#2 Legislative and/or policies changes at county & city level following from state
action
#3 Data study on the local populations that enter the criminal justice system#4
#4 A Process within Criminal Justice System as driving force to be introduced into
their present conversations, planning and operating procedures in addressing public
safety
#5 A vehicle for citizens in neighborhoods to get more involved and become part of
decision-making – this is the missing component in addressing public safety.
STAGE #1
Explore state/federal legislation to allow more discretion in sentencing for judges in
line with current FIRST STEP ACT passed and THE NEXT STEP ACT filed in U.S.
Senate
Return Probation back to local county board and district judges control
Repeal any or all of minimum/maximum sentencing for specific crimes
STAGE #2
Judiciary at state & district support transfer of Probation back to local control
County Board approves the control and funding as employees of county
District Court judges & Probation review, update and enhance existing operations as:
*not serve a law enforcement function (not carrying guns)
*very manageable number assigned to each officer
*working relationship of Probation with community organizations & agencies
*1st contact for Pre-Trial placement – jail or return to community (not just a Bond) but
conditions imposed by Court and monitored by Probation
*2nd contact if convicted and PSI for sentencing – here priority is can this offender be retained in
community under the supervision of Probation (the Court)
STAGE #3
WHAT DOES THIS POPULATION LOOK LIKE
Need data collect, compile and analyzed for the following:
1. all juveniles who had contact with or entered the system in last five (5) years
2. those juveniles placed in detention before and after disposition
3. all offenders booked and charged in last three years
4. the current county jail population
5. the current citizens on probation
Who will determine the variables to be collected? St. Ambrose school of criminal justice – professors
Who will collect & compile? It will not have names just a number, so high school juniors & seniors in
conjunction with their class work would be ideal. St. Ambrose students could be participant
** Instead of a starting premise of the population, lets have the data guide us to some observations that
can be placed in the planning process
STAGE #4
STAGE #5
Who is closest to root of crime? The citizen –whether family, friend, neighbor, etc…
Who is impacted by crime? The citizen – physically, emotionally, and mentally
What is their present role in public safety? By-standers with occasional indirect
involvement from criminal justice actors and/or organization and agencies.
It’s time for citizens to decide to continue abdicating to the criminal justice actors,
organization and agencies OR come forward with a vehicle that entails planning,
organizing, commitment and decision-making regarding public safety in their
neighborhoods in conjunction with the criminal justice system and actors.
STAGE #5 - (page two)
The vehicle being proposed for citizen involvement:
CITIZEN’S NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICTS
Establish under SELF-SUPPORTED MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, (§386.2 of the Iowa Code):
Each District will center around existing public parks
Each District will use census tracts to keep all districts close in population
Each District will have an oversight body comprised of citizens in the District
* will not be elected – no campaigning
* citizens will volunteer – Mayor will make public random pick of names
serve one year – age 12 & above
Each District oversight body & citizens will determine what type of park they want
Each District oversight body & citizens will maintain the park – no salaries –
volunteers
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