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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Hailey Nolasco, Senior Director of Government Relations at Center for Justice Innovation
9:21:05
ยท
132 sec
Hailey Nolasco from the Center for Justice Innovation advocates for community-driven public safety solutions and continued investment in programs addressing gun violence, gender-based issues, and intimate partner violence. She emphasizes the need for sustainable, transformative change in the criminal justice system.
- Highlights the importance of neighborhood safety initiatives and the New York City Crisis Management System
- Calls for the establishment of fully operational community justice centers in the South Bronx and Staten Island
- Advocates for the development of "Empower Her," a program providing targeted support for women in the justice system
- Requests increased support for the Rise Project, which addresses the intersection of intimate partner violence and gun violence
Hailey Nolasco
9:21:05
Okay.
9:21:06
Thank you.
9:21:07
Greens chair salaam, my name is Haley Nolasco, senior director of government relations at the Center for Justice Innovation.
9:21:13
Thank you so much for the opportunity to testify today.
9:21:16
Public safety is a pressing concern for New Yorkers but true safety is built on sustainable community driven solutions.
9:21:23
Gun violence and systemic accountability remain challenges and the criminal legal system too often fails to address the root causes of crime leaving vulnerable communities at greater risk.
9:21:33
We must recognize that harmful practices like stop and frisk have disproportionately harmed vulnerable communities undermining trust and systems.
9:21:41
This is why continued investment in community driven initiatives are critical.
9:21:45
We thank the council for their ongoing investments in our programs such as our neighborhood safety initiatives and the New York City Crisis Management System, which our SOS Save Our Streets program is a part of working to reduce gun violence and ask for this work to be sustained.
9:21:59
As mentioned earlier today by district attorney Clark and district attorney McMahon, we are also urging our city partners to support the establishment of a fully operational community justice center in the South Bronx as well as in Staten Island.
9:22:11
This would bring vital resources to those most at risk violence and helping them engage with the support and services they need.
9:22:17
Next, programs addressing, gender based issues are especially vulnerable in these times.
9:22:22
Our Staten Island and Queen's Community Justice Centers have seen a rise in female identifying ATR participants in 2024 with 200 women in Staten Island and 334 women in Queens.
9:22:33
Women in the justice system face unique challenges including higher rates of abuse and mental health struggles.
9:22:38
To address this, are advocating for the development of Empower Her, a program to provide targeted support for women.
9:22:44
Similarly, the Rise Project tackles the intersection of intimate partner violence and gun violence, partnering with anti gun violence organizations by raising awareness and providing direct services, case management, and healing circles for those experiencing IPV.
9:22:58
It also engages youth in programs that promote healthy relationships and public safety.
9:23:02
We are advocating for increased support citywide to address increases in intimate partner violence.
9:23:08
This is our moment to stand with our communities and invest in solutions that create lasting transformative change.
9:23:13
Thank you so much for your time.
9:23:15
A full list of our budget requests have been submitted with testimony.
9:23:17
Thank you.
Yusef Salaam
9:23:18
Thank you.