Title
A MOTION supporting of the efforts of the King County sheriff's office to create a proactive criminal activity assessment and prevention program
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WHEREAS, King County is committed to implementing alternatives to incarceration that include connecting individuals in need to mental health, substance abuse and housing programs, and
WHEREAS, the general public, law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, local corrections and elected officials are frequently targets of violent threats and crimes, and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Justice has published research and a guide to encourage local law enforcement to develop protective intelligence and threat assessment investigation programs that will deter potential violent criminal activity, and
WHEREAS, these information gathering and assessment programs should be coupled with human services that assist individuals who are identified to have the potential for violent activity, rather than relying on investigation and incarceration after a criminal act was committed, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Matt Logan, a former staff sergeant with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, designed and implemented a Threats to Criminal Justice Officials program, which is based on proactive and preventative policing for potential threats that have been validated by a science-based behavioral analysis of psychological factors rather than race or ethnicity factors, and
WHEREAS, an additional purpose of these threat de-escalation programs is to develop real-time, resources for law enforcement officers and potential victims to further minimize the opportunity for a violent crime to take place, and
WHEREAS, King County places a high value on developing regional resources that enhance the protection and safety of all citizens, law enforcement, judiciary and elected officials, and
WHEREAS, the King County sheriff's office is developing the regional risk assessment, deterrence and referral program ("the RADAR program"), which would develop regional resources to assess, address and de-escalate potential violent criminal activity with a specific goal to prevent an event, and
WHEREAS, On November 29, 2009, four Lakewood city police officers were murdered by an assailant who had a long history of felony charges and convictions, and
WHEREAS the King County prosecuting attorney, superior court and district court have formally expressed their support for the efforts of the King County sheriff in developing the RADAR program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The King County council hereby confirms its support for proactive law enforcement alternatives that are science and behavioral-based rather than based on socioeconomic factors such as ethnicity or income and that connect individuals in need to mental health, substance abuse and housing programs; and
B. The King County council expresses support for, and encourages the efforts of, the King County sheriff to develop and identify funding for the RADAR program, which is a proactive, science and behavioral analysis-based, regional resource program to assess, address and deescalate the most violent potential criminal activity.