pages: OpenGovernmentCommission/2021-03-01.pdf, 8
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OpenGovernmentCommission | 2021-03-01 | 8 | Commissioner Reid inquired whether the Committee is recommending mental health professionals, in lieu of Police and Fire, or recommending additional training in the mental health area or both. Mr. Soglin stated the Unbundling Subcommittee was not looking at training, but another Committee recommended mental health training for Officers; the recommendation from the Unbundling Subcommittee was that when there is call for mental health services, like the CAHOOTS model, mental health professionals respond to the call; when needed, they can call and bring in law enforcement; in the CAHOOTS system, the number of calls needing law enforcement was tiny; law enforcement would always be available, but the idea is to have the professional with the training and skills respond to a mental health call; if the call is mental health, but also involves a crime or weapon, then law enforcement would respond. Mr. Fraser recommended Commissioner Reid review the CAHOOTS model from Eugene, Oregon; stated there were roughly 24,000 CAHOOTS calls with only 0.6% requiring an armed Officer to support the CAHOOTS team. Commissioner Reid inquired, from an example given in the draft recommendation, who would determine whether a person shoplifting from a pharmacy was acting out of dire necessity and not profit-seeking. Mr. Mance responded by giving an example of diversion programs most of the Police agencies use in the juvenile system; stated the Police agencies have developed policies for determining whether it is appropriate to divert a youth; a similar system can be employed; the Committee recommendations have not figured out the nuts and bolts yet; the next stage is for the City to determine what works for Alameda and how to implement the recommendations; there are situations where Police Officers make the determination; Officers have a great deal of time and experience seeing these things in person; the City can lay out standards and the Police Officers have limited discretion within the standards; this is one model currently in place. Commissioner Reid stated the report indicated juvenile offenses declined in Alameda; inquired whether the numbers are just dropping or if juveniles are diverted elsewhere. Mr. Mance responded that he could not answer definitively; stated juvenile filings across the County are down by about 70% as juvenile crime is decreasing; there are a lot of diversion programs; the vast majority of cases that do occur were filed prior to diversion programs; his understanding is that the diversion programs are successful and youth who have completed the program are not re-offending. Commissioner Reid suggested perhaps said level of detail and information could be added to the draft recommendation. Chair Tilos stated he would like the Commissioners to rotate questions three at a time to Meeting of the Open Government Commission March 1, 2021 8 | OpenGovernmentCommission/2021-03-01.pdf |