1997 Community Guide

Public Safety

Vision Statement

Travis County will be a community where all persons will be safe from crime and victimization.

Summary

The strategic plan focused on enhancement of public safety through coordinated systems and programs in justice, education, human services and victims' services for both juveniles and adults. The objective of the Plan depends on evaluation measures defined by the process including broad-based, grass roots community input.

The goal of the plan is: 1) a consistent assessment of efficacy and efficiency in our collective response; 2) identify under served or unaddressed community needs; 3) a balance of accountability among departments, elected officials, and the community; and 4) allow for a forum to develop solutions for interdepartmental and community issues and problems.

Functional areas identified are: Law Enforcement; Juvenile; Courts and Prosecution; Victim Services and Corrections. Within each area, strategies for public awareness/education, prevention, intervention, and evaluation were identified. To develop the process and identify evaluation measures, a project steering committee made up of a team leader from each functional area, the Task Force Chair, the Community Justice Council Coordinator, and community members from the Neighborhood Action Protection Committee was established.

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Critical Conditions

A. Between 1984 and 1996, referrals to juvenile court in Travis County were higher and increased at a faster rate than in almost all other Texas metropolitan areas.

B. Over the last ten years, juvenile arrests for robbery and arson in Travis County have tripled.

C. In 1996, there were 854 referrals to Juvenile Court for drug and alcohol related offenses.

D. In 1995, 72 children six and under died in Travis County.

E. The Texas Comptroller, County Forecast, projects an 18% increase in population for Travis County from 1990 to the year 2000.

F. In 1995, 45% of calls to APD Victim Services concerned family violence. Family violence incidents were the number one reason for calls to APD for any sort of crime against a person.

G. The Salvation Army estimates that 80% of the homeless women who come there seeking shelter and assistance have experienced violence.

H. Travis County ranks the highest of the major urban counties in Texas in the confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect

I. Between 1991-1995 there was a 31% increase in offenders on community supervision in Travis County

J. In 1995 there were 22,933 criminal case files in County Courts and another 10,309 filed in Criminal District Court

K. In 1995, Law Enforcement Victim Services dealt with 12,278 victims of violent crimes

L. The number of validated cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation of elderly persons in Travis County increased 53% from 1991 to 1995.

M. Children and adolescents comprise 40% of the clients of the Rape Crisis Center.

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Desired Community Impacts

A. Reduce incidence of all crimes

B. Reduce recidivism

C. Maximize efficiency and efficacy of the criminal justice system

D. Reduce trauma to crime victims

E. Improve individual and community public safety

F. Increase community and individual involvement in public safety

G. Increase community awareness and understanding of the criminal justice system

H. Increase community awareness of the needs of victimized children.

I. Educate the public regarding needs for preventative programs to keep juveniles out of the criminal justice system

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Strategies

A. provide public education and awareness concerning justice system services

B. develop and implement monitoring, evaluation and research to enhance all programs and activities

C. enhance the use of technology in order to provide improved information and services

D. work together with the district attorney, county attorney, the defense bar, district and county clerk's offices to reduce delays and unnecessary case re-sets

E. manage the court appointed system to ensure that indigent defendants quickly receive competent representation

F. monitor court dockets to ensure that defendants with special needs (examples: incarcerated, non-english speaking, physically or mentally impaired) are addressed appropriately

G. develop method of assuring timely feedback from victims, attorneys, advocacy groups, agencies and community

H. educate the public regarding jury system, criminal and civil justice systems, and information available to the community

I. enhance problem-solving efforts in the justice system

J. decentralize officers, provide community policing, and courts

K. enhance enforcement efforts

L. devise ways of pro-actively addressing community problems

M. adjust workload and staffing to handle county-wide growth

N. provide early intervention services and enhance first offender programs

O. provide opportunities for community service and develop employment skills for juveniles

P. enhance and develop strategies to address gang problems

Q. enhance programming to promote positive youth development and healthy behaviors

R. increase parental support, accountability and involvement

S. target high-risk youth providing mentoring services and adult involvement

T. monitor truancy, improve linkages with schools and increase youth-involvement in decision making

U. decrease victimization of youth and children

V. improve services to victims of juvenile crime

W. provide advocacy for children in the juvenile system

X. integrate the victim services in criminal justice system agencies into a seamless network of services that parallels the offender's movement through the system where transfer of the victim from one agency to another is transparent to the victim.

Y. establish one computerized system for tracking crime victims and keeping statistics that all agencies and providers use.

Z. develop an instrument to survey crime victims to obtain information on the services provided and those that weren't.

AA. utilizing existing structures, complete the development of a comprehensive volunteer training program for victim services volunteer training and coordinate agency specific additional training.

BB. develop consistent definitions of services and protocol for delivery of services as well as minimum qualifications of personnel providing services.

CC. create public-private partnerships to establish 24 hour outreach centers that can be used a "safe havens" and for emergency counseling, advocacy and shelter.

DD. create a complete listing of local providers and design a pre-approval program for counseling and referral to local providers that ensures reimbursement to the provider.

EE. develop standard literature about victim services for the general public that educates and informs them about the criminal justice system and victim assistance.

FF. create a victim assistance fund that can be accessed by all agencies to provide emergency or unique initial assistance to crime victims who "fall through the cracks" as a result of the bureaucracy and/or the circumstances of their situation.

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Outcomes

A. increased number of clients served who demonstrate measured improvements in attitude/behavior

B. increased number of clients served who self report an improvement in attitude/behavior

C. increased number of clients who demonstrate increased knowledge /skills relative to issues area and /or resources

D. increased number of clients who successfully completed the program

E. increased level of client/family satisfaction with services

F. increased number of clients with no new court or police involvement during the reporting period

G. increased number of clients remaining or re-enrolling in school or vocational training during the reporting period

H. increased number of clients who improved school attendance

I. increased number of clients demonstrating improved academic performance

J. increased number of neighborhood residents surveyed who report an increased perception of personal safety in target neighborhoods

K. increased number of clients with decreased gang involvement

L. increased number of clients obtaining job placement

M. increased number of clients maintaining employment for a scheduled period of time

N. increased number of clients maintaining employment at scheduled follow-up sessions

O. increased number of clients demonstrating a measured reduction in at-risk behavior

P. increased number of clients showing no new or reduced incidence of family violence/abuse/neglect (including perpetrators)

Q. increased number of clients who leave program with individual safety plan

R. increased number of clients who leave program to a situation that does not include the batterer

S. increased number of clients who report being in an improved situation (i.e: enhanced safety) at follow-up session

T. increased number of individuals served who disclose abuse, violence, neglect and/or exploitation and receive appropriate referrals

U. increased number of child victims who receive services to address victimization

V. increased number of child victim provided advocacy

W. reduced recidivism

X. improved services delivered to outlying areas

Y. enhanced dissemination of information provided to the public

Z. enhanced early intervention services

AA. reduced time victim wait for counseling

BB. every victim received all necessary services

CC. improved use of volunteer services

DD. maximized use of community providers

EE. minimized inefficiencies in the delivery of services

FF. reduce the amount of time it takes for a criminal case to be resolved

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