Police highlight reintegration coordinator and homelessness-task-force coordination

Director Brian Pete told commissioners the department is partnering with the homelessness services task force to reduce disruptive and criminal behavior linked to homelessness while increasing pathways to services. He said the city-funded reintegration coordinator helps people exiting custody with documents, licenses and job-readiness so they can access employment and housing opportunities.

Pete described an intra-stakeholder communications platform called JELADA that the department and partners will use to track needs and avoid cycling people into jail when social services are a better match. "So when we identify people who have needs, they're in crisis, how can we avert them from going to jail and how can we meet those needs by working with partners?" Pete said. He added that some individuals will still need criminal accountability when outreach and services are not effective.

Commissioners asked whether potential enforcement ordinances on loitering or camping would criminalize homelessness; Pete said the policy details and definitions would require community input to avoid unintended consequences and would not be a unilateral police decision. He described a balanced approach of outreach, services and enforcement where appropriate.