A Data-Driven Approach To Protecting Public Safety, Improving And Expanding Rehabilitative Treatment
Published on 10/19/2021
Testimony to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors:
The LWV Of California has a strong Criminal Justice position that includes support for police to identify individuals with mental health conditions, disabilities, or substance abuse/addiction, so that officers can request support from appropriate medical and mental health professionals, with the goal of diverting those individuals into treatment instead of jail. Our policy supports reliance on evidence-based research in decision making about law enforcement programs and policies. Our county position on homelessness supports rescission of policies and practices that criminalize homelessness. We support access to community based programs that that focus on rehabilitation, mental health treatment, substance abuse recovery, and transitional programs as alternatives to incarceration. In order to effectively and equitably implement these programs, a data driven approach to understand and identify the most effective strategies is critical. We support the resolution.