Community Crime Prevention and Juvenile Justice Initiatives

Public Safety - Human Services Initiative

In 2006, the City of Seattle launched the Public Safety – Human Services Initiative to improve public safety in Seattle’s Central, Rainier Beach, and Downtown neighborhoods by redirecting 185 individuals from street crime through outreach, case management, and support services.

The Initiative includes Get Off The Streets (GOTS), Communities Uniting Rainier Beach (CURB), and Court Specialized Treatment and Access to Recovery Services (Co-STAR). Projects are partnership-based and include street outreach, case management, chemical dependency and mental health treatment, and low-barrier access to support services such as housing, food, transportation assistance, and employment preparation.

Coordinated by the Seattle Neighborhood Group, GOTS provides services to adults involved in non-violent street crime who are drug or alcohol dependent and homeless. CURB is implemented by the People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) and uses a peer outreach model to engage young adults in the Rainier Beach neighborhood who are involved in low-level criminal activity. Co-STAR, managed by Sound Mental Health, uses a housing first approach to stabilize homeless individuals who have had five or more Seattle Municipal Court bookings within a 12 month period. These projects reduce crime, disorder, and the fear of crime by moving people who are homeless, mentally ill and/or addicted to drugs/alcohol from the streets to housing, employment, and/or a clean and sober lifestyle.

Safe Communities, Drug Market Initiative (DMI) supports community efforts to close open air drug markets and reduce associated crime and violence. In partnership with Seattle Police Department, Safe Communities provides outreach and case management services to participants. The 2011 allocation is $26,000.

The Public Safety – Human Services Initiative is funded with City of Seattle General Funds. The 2011 allocation is $990,400.

2011 Funded Agencies and Programs

• Seattle Neighborhood Group – Get Off The Streets (GOTS)
• People of Color Against AIDS Network - Communities Uniting Rainier Beach (CURB)
• Sound Mental Health - Court Specialized Treatment and Access to Recovery Services (Co-STAR)

Information

For more information about this program, contact the Seattle Human Services Department at 206-386-1017 or youthservices@seattle.gov.

For information about our partners and related programs, contact the agencies listed above or the 211 Community Information Line by dialing 211 or 1-800-621-4636.

Links

• Current Funding Opportunities
• News

Seattle Human Services Department
Street address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5800, Seattle, WA 98104
Mailing address: PO Box 34215, Seattle, WA 98124-4215

Phone: 206-386-1001
Fax: 206-233-5119
TTY/TTD: 206-233-2778

Accommodations for people with disabilities provided upon request.