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Public commenters urge expanded prevention services and raise immigration concerns
Summary
Public comment included a call from Freddy Cochuay of San Antonio Next Connection for expanded substance-use prevention and street outreach, and a separate commenter, Jack Finger, raised concerns about immigrant use of public services and court attendance.
During public comment the committee heard a mix of appeals and concerns from residents and community leaders.
Freddy Cochuay, identified himself as director ejecutivo of San Antonio Next Connection, urged sustained investment in community-based substance-use prevention and outreach. Cochuay said community responders reach people before crises become 911 calls and described the organization's role during the COVID-19 response.
Jack Finger, who introduced himself and then addressed item 4, questioned recent immigration trends and asked the committee to provide data on immigrants'use of hospitals, schools and jails; Finger said he believed a notable share of people in custody were in the country illegally and asked whether immigrants are adding to tax rolls or using services without paying. His remarks included contested assertions about service use and jail populations; presenters and councilmembers did not substantiate his numeric claims during the meeting.
Mary Bethest, director of the Centro Ecume9nico, described her organization's trauma-certification work, the three-level host certification process and partnership with city programs; she asked the city to continue partnership and funding support for small community organizations that pursue certification.
