HomeMy WebLinkAbout13-14 - Res. Establishing a Citizen's Task Force on Public Safety and Criminal JusticeResolution No.
A Resolution Establishing a Citizen's Task Force on. Public Safety and Criminal Justice
Whereas, the Mason County Criminal Justice Working Team requested the Mason County Board of
Commissioners form a citizen's advisory committee to evaluate the law and justice service needs of
Mason County, and to evaluate whether these needs could be met by an increase in the county sales tax
or other revenue stream,
Whereas, Mason County Board of Commissioners have increased public safety and criminal justice
spending by 9.5% since 2010 and public safety and judicial spending comprises nearly 57% of the County
Current Expense budget;
Whereas, in 2011, Mason County experienced the 7th highest crime rate in the state with 43.60 crimes
committed per 1,000 people in the unincorporated areas of the County. Additionally, Mason County has
ranked the highest in total crimes per 1,000 citizens in 22 of the last 24 years compared to counties
considered comparable to Mason County (Clallam, Grays Harbor Skagit, Cowlitz, Lewis and Jefferson
Counties);
Whereas, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs reports at least $3.1 million in crime
related property loss in Mason County in 2012_
Whereas, the real, social and taxpayer costs of crime in Mason County affects the economic
development, safety and general well-being of the Mason County community.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mason County Board of Commissioners that a Citizen's Task
Force on Public Safety and Criminal Justice be established and comprised of no more than eleven
members:
• Up to five persons, not employed by the County who have direct experience in the fields of
criminal Justice and/or public safety and invited by the Commissioners to serve.
• Up to six persons who are residents of Mason County and selected by the Board of
Commissioners from a pool of applicants.
• A Task Force Chair will be recommended by the Board of Commissioners and approved by the
Task Force.
Elected officials, department heads and staff currently serving the County in the fields of criminal justice
and public safety should serve as a resource to the Task Force and attend meetings as requested or
necessary.
The Task Force shall review and develop recommendations to the County Commissioners on the
following•
• Inventory and assess effectiveness of current crime prevention measures and identify whether
additional measures should be implemented and at what cost.
• Assess whether the amount of financial resources dedicated to public safety and criminal justice
is adequate to meet the needs of County citizens. If the amount of resources is found to be
inadequate, identify the amount needed and proposed sources and allocation of additional
resources.
• Assess whether Mason County's alternative justice and alternative sentencing measures are
effective measures for reducing
Resolution No. 3‘ea I 1
crime rates and costs to the public safety and criminal justice systems and whether these
programs should be grown in an effort to reduce crime.
Identify performance measures to assess effectiveness of current and additional programs and
financial resources allocated to public safety and criminal justice operations.
A report containing recommendations should be received by the Board of Commissioners by July 31,
2014, unless extended by the Board of Commissioners.
Task Force meetings shall be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act and members will be required to
attend, at no cost to themselves, Open Public Meetings Act and Public Record Act trainings maoe
available by Mason County and scheduled during regular operating hours of the County.
Dated this 4th day of March, 2014.
ATTEST:
J. Almnzor, Clerk of the Baard
APPROVED. .DLE4R�
•
im Whitehead, Chief DPA
Im Whitehead, Chief DPA
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Terri Jeffreys
Tim Sheldon, Commissioner
Rand Neatherlin, mmissioner
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