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Q&A
Discussion of preliminary budget and resource allocation for reforms
1:14:08
·
138 sec
Council Member Sandy Nurse initiates a discussion on the preliminary budget and resource allocation for the proposed reforms. Jonathan Lippman and Zachary Katznelson respond, highlighting the need for sustainable resources and investments in proven, data-driven programs.
- Emphasis on the need for consistent, sustainable resources for organizations, providers, and city agencies
- Discussion of potential budget cuts for reentry programs and alternatives to incarceration
- Highlighting the importance of investing in programs that impact safety and produce better outcomes
- Mention of crime victims' desire for investments in treatment and prevention rather than just incarceration
Sandy Nurse
1:14:08
Thank you Councilmember Stevens.
1:14:10
So just a few more questions.
1:14:11
Sure.
1:14:12
And then we're gonna take a little break.
1:14:15
I wanted to give you an opportunity to comment on the preliminary budget.
1:14:21
A lot of what you all put forth here really doesn't happen if we've got we don't have the resources.
1:14:29
We've already talked about we need the dedicated staff and team focused on it.
1:14:32
We also need a consistent sustainable stream of resources for the organizations, for the providers, for the capacity within the city agencies to do it.
1:14:42
So are you seeing, you know, any red flags where you think we're falling short that you'd like to comment on?
Jonathan Lippman
1:14:50
Well, let me let me just, in a broader stroke, say that we're absolutely delighted that you actually, you know, as you said, read all the 23 pages and listened to what we're saying and put so much of what we recommended into the budget.
1:15:07
Are there red flags, Zach?
1:15:09
Are there areas where need to be haven't been addressed?
Zachary Katznelson
1:15:14
Well, I think I think the council certainly understands the investments that are necessary and that is echoed in the budget.
1:15:20
I think the reality is that all the stakeholders are going to have to play their part.
1:15:25
To make this all work, it's going to take everybody.
1:15:28
And of course, you're looking at potential budget cuts for reentry programs and alternatives to incarceration.
1:15:34
Those are things that we need to have, I think, the right thinking about, which is that we need to invest in what's proven, what's data driven, what works, and what actually impacts safety and gets better outcomes.
1:15:46
Remember, we're in a situation right now where a third of people released from Rikers are back there within one year, not just rearrested, but reincarcerated.
1:15:54
Clearly, the current path is not working safety wise and for human beings and for crime victims.
1:16:00
I mean, it's something we talked about before.
1:16:01
We surveyed crime victims.
1:16:03
We did focus groups of crime victims.
1:16:04
What they want is to make sure that whoever harmed them never harms anyone else again.
1:16:09
And the investments they want to see do that, they want accountability, but they want far more than jail.
1:16:13
They want investments in people.
1:16:15
They want investments in treatment.
1:16:16
They want investments to make sure it never happens again.
1:16:18
And those are the types of things that council is highlighting and we think are absolutely
Jonathan Lippman
1:16:21
critical But we also need money in the state budget, right, to complement what comes out of the city budget?
Zachary Katznelson
1:16:26
That's absolutely right.