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Council directs 30- and 90-day reports to evaluate expanding Domestic Abuse Response Team citywide
Summary
A motion passed directing a 30-day report on DART coverage gaps, and two 90-day reports on funding sources and coordination including a recommended full-time DART coordinator position.
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion directing staff to evaluate and recommend steps to expand the Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) toward citywide coverage.
Councilmember Eric Garcetti introduced the motion, which asks for a 30-day report identifying areas of the city not currently covered by DART and a 90-day report identifying funding sources for expansion and recommendations on coordination. The 90-day materials are to include options for funding a full-time city staff position to serve as a DART coordinator.
Garcetti told the council DART teams "are civilians who give a woman or a man or a children a way out," describing the teams' role in providing immediate help and medium-term assistance, including shelter and job training, after domestic-violence incidents. He said the teams intervene at the time of crisis and can create pathways away from abusive environments.
The motion also asks staff to identify citywide coverage gaps and to return with cost estimates and funding sources in 90 days. Councilmembers expressed support for expanding the DART program and for clarifying how city funding could expand services without duplicating existing efforts by law enforcement or nonprofits.
The council voted to move the motion forward; the transcript records the item being placed and passed with subsequent staff direction to prepare the specified reports.
