ORDER N0.28826 CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY NARCOTICS LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY PLAN Came to be heard this the 27~' day of September 2004 with a motion made by Commissioner Baldwin, and a Second made by Commissioner Williams, the Court unanimously approved a vote of 4-0-0 to approve the Kerr County Criminal Justice and Public Safety Narcotics Law Enforcement Community Plan. COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REQUEST PLEASE FURNISH ONE ORIGINAL AND NINE COPIES OF THIS REQUEST AND DOCUMENTS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COURT. MADE BY: KFV/.J s-1-A,,,~,,.I {~A~rr-7raN ~outir~ ~~~~ OFFICE: J ~/~~~ ~~ ~~o ~ a-r~ o~ MEETING DATE: TIME PREFERRED: ~-~~ o~ SUBJECT: (PLEASE BE SPECIFIC EXECUTNE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON) NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT: ~/E~~,J _S'~A,~ Yzi.~1 ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: s,-r~,,,.~u,~~s IF PERSONNEL MATTER -NAME OF EMPLOYEE: Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows: Meeting scheduled for Mondays: 5:00 P.M. previous Tuesday. THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY: THIS REQUEST RECEIVED ON: All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has been prepared for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court Meetings. Your cooperation will be appreciated and contribute towards you request being addressed at the earliest opportunity. See Agenda Request Rules Adopted by Commissioners' Court. KERR COUNTY, TEXAS CRIlVIINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY NARCOTICS LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY PLAN September 2004 Points of Contact: Kerr County -Judge Pat Tinley - (830) 792-2211 Kevin Stanton - (830) 896-9013 Becky Harris -Juvenile Justice - (830) 257E 110 Bill IiBI -Public Safety/Narcotics Law Enforcement - (830) 257-2991 Bobbie Lesser -Victim Services - (830) 257-7088 KERB COiJNTY, TEXAS CRIl~~TAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY PLAN September 2004 IIITDEX: I. Purpose and timeline II. Background and Introduction III. Crime Statistics and Trends 2002-2003 IV. Resources V. Priorities, Needs and Gaps in Services in 2005 VI. Revision of Priorities, Needs and Gaps m Service for 2005 VII. Measurement of Progress in meeting Priorities, Needs & Gaps VIII. Committee Recommendations 2 PART ONE - CRIlVIE AND DELINQUENCY L PURPOSE AND TIIVIEI.IlITE Since 1997 the Criminal Justice Division of the Texas Governor's Office has given funding priority to projects that are part of a comprehensive Community Plan. This means that criminal justice planners have worked with diverse groups of community leaders to identify priorities in community needs and to develop comprehensive strategies that address these needs. The Community Plans that resulted from these collaborative efforts identified community resources, noted the coordination between local agencies, identified the gaps in services and laid o ut strategies to address the stated needs. In 2000 the AACOG region determined that these Community Plans could be useful beyond application for criminal justice grants. These plans have utility as the foundation for comprehensive five year plans that addressed each community's general needs. There is indication that Community Plans may well become the framework through which most federal and state grants are allotted. The following community plan is submitted for Kerr County to be used for planning purposes. II. BACKGROUND Kerr County is located in the south central region of Texas and includes the cities of Kerrville, Ingram, Center Point, Mountain Home and Hunt. The county's geographical area measures some 1,107 square miles. Census 2002 figures show that Kerr County had a total population of 44857 with a sizable Caucasian majority. There was identification of a small minority community, primarily Hispanic, in Kerr County. However, because undocumented workers and families are not likely to be counted by the Census, the proportion of Hispanics living in the county is probably higher than was recorded. As of 2000, about 25% of school age children and one third of the infants born in Kerr County were Hispanic. In 2001, a demographic study underwritten by the Cailloux Foundation showed the median age in Kerr County to be 43.8 years. This older than average median age and decreasing numbers of individuals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s suggests a retirement community. Latest available statistics show a median household income of $34,238 with a per capita income of $19,767. Although there are pockets of wealth in the county; some 43.2% of public school students in Kerr County qualify for nutrition programs that target children from economically disadvantaged homes. 3 Within the county there are 15 public schools and several smaller - parochial and private schools. The latest available (2002 -2003) school dropout rate for Kerrville ISD is 0.6%; Ingram ISD had a drop out rate of 0.2% and Center Point ISD's rate was 0.3%. Over that same period of time the state's average was 0.9%. Kerr County has three hospitals; Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital, the Kerrville State Hospital and a Veteran's Administration Hospital -South Texas Health Caze System. The county's employment base is a mixture of government jobs, retail trade, service industry, manufacturing and construction. The county's average wage scale is low. The unemployment rate is also low but minorities aze disadvantaged in that statistic. There is a Texas Workforce Commission office in Kerrville and AACOG's Workrite Committee also works to improve employment opportunities in the county. There is no significant heavy industry in Kerr County. There aze several small corporations who base operations out of this azea but their work forces aze relatively small. Agriculture is still a notable pazt of the county's economic base. Tourism is the most significant single industry in the county. III. CRIME STATISTICS/'TRF.NDS 2002 2003 Kerr County faces many of the same social and law enforcement problems as other rural counties in Texas. However, because of the city of Kerrville's location and size; Kerr County has traditionally been instrumental in providing many services to surrounding rural azeas. The juvenile stats were collected from the Kerr County Juvenile Probation Depaztment. The adult stats were received from the Texas Depaztment of Public Safety Website. A. Adults - 18 yeazs and older: 1. Crimes against Persons (Murder, assault, rape etc.) 2. Crimes against Property (theft, fraud, vandalism) 3. Crimes against Family 4. Sex Offenses 2002 2003 29 72 1095 1174 399 250 14 12 TOTALS 1537 1508 4 B. Youth - 17 years and younger: 2002 2003 1. Crimes against Persons 62 71 2. Crimes against Property 66 50 3. Weapons Offenses 6 2 4. Driving 3 5 49 Intoxicated/Drug Offenses 5. Crimes against Family 0 0 6. Sex Offenses 8 6 7. Crimes against Public 271 282 Peace Totals 448 460 C. Substance Abuse Arrests - 2002 2003 Juveniles 3 5 49 Totals D. Gang Information - We have no information of organized adult or juvenile gangs in Kerr County. E. Registered Sex Offenders - 2002 73 2003 75 F. Attendance Rates -Kerrville ISD 95.6%, Ingram ISD 95.7% and Center Point ISD 96.2 reported an attendance rate in the 2002 -2003 academic year. N. RESOURCES Kerr County has a variety of public and private agencies/organizations that provide resources to our community. Chief among those are the following: LAW ENFORCEMENT 5 Kerr County Sheriff s Department Kerrville Police Department -- Ingram City Marshal's Office Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Narcotics Task Force Kerr County Constables Drug Enforcement Agency Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms U.S. Customs U.S. Border Patrol Kerr County Adult and Juvenile Probation Departure nts Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) Military Resources Crime Stoppers CURRENTLY F[JNDID C iD PRO.iECTS Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Narcotics Task Force - is a cooperative narcotics law enforcement project sponsored by the Kerrville Police Department, the Kerr County Sheriff s Department and the Ingram City Marshal's Office. Hill Country CASA -works with the Courts to provide advocacy services for children involved in the judicial process because of abuse or neglect. Hill Country Crisis Council - maintains a safe house and provides crisis intervention, counseling and other services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and related crimes. Kerr County Juvenile Facility (Kerr County Juvenile Board) -secure facility that provides therapeutic placement for pre and post -adjudicated juveniles. Kids' Advocacy Place -provides services for victims of child abuse and their non-offending family members in the form of evaluation, intervention and evidence gathering. FAITH BASED AND CBO ORGANIZATIONS American Red Cross -educational forums and disaster relief Any Baby Can -assists children who have disabilities (birth to twelve) Calvary Temple Daycare -provides private pay and government subsidized day care for low-income families. Center Point ISD -education and support services pre -K to 12~' grade Christian Assistance Ministry -ecumenically sponsored/supported; provides community coordination of food and rent/utility supplements for needy families. Christian Womens Job Corp- provides job training and support services for low income women. 6 Churches of all denominations -have various community outreach programs - Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG~ - staff s local service delivery for children and families with multi -agency needs. Community Social Action Coundl - provides a networking forum for service agencies Dietert Senior Center -wide variety of services for the area's elderly Divide ISD- education and support services pre -K through 6th grade Hill Country Christian Counseling -ecumenically sponsored supported; provides sliding scale low cost counseling Homespun ECI -provides assessment and therapeutic intervention for developmentally delayed children (birth to three) Hunt ISD -education and support services pre -K through 6m grade Ingram LSD -education and support services pre -K through 12 ~ grade K'Star Youth and Family Services -operates an emergency shelter for children as well as a counseling program for children and families in conflict/crisis. Kerr County Child Services Board -coordinates special services for children in state caze and promotes community awazeness of child abuse Kerr County Indigent Health Center -(limited) indigent health caze Kerrville Area Hospice -provides support services for the terminally ill and their families. Kerrville LSD- education and support services pre -K through 12 ~ grade Kerrville Ministerial Alliance -ecumenical group Partners in Ministry -non-denominational group that assess community needs and identifies/coordinate s local resources to meet those needs Peterson Regional Health Care Center -privately funded hospital that serves the azea Raphael Free Community Clinic -provides low cost medical services to azea residents; emphasis on women and children without insuran ce. Salvation Army - provides a variety of services including an emergency shelter, dental clinic and meal programs. Texas Department of Families and Protective Services ('I'DFPS) - removes children from abusive homes and provides services for those children and their families. Texas Rehabilitation Commission -provides vocational rehabilitation services to people with physical or mental disabilities. Texas Rural Legal Aid -(limited) low cost legal aid for economically disadvantaged Texas Workforce Commi~cinn -provides employment opportunities and services for the unemployed. Volunteers of America -provide housing (sliding scale) and support services for low-income elderly. WIC - food nutrition program for women and children YMCA -provides daycare, after school programs and structured activities -- Mental Health Services Kerrville State Hospital Kerr County Mental Health Center Private practitioners Special Opportunities Center Drug/Alcohol Treatment Programs Hill Country Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse Independence House La Hacienda Starlight Treatment Center Villa Del Sol Emergency Shelters Hill Country Crisis Council (women and children victimized by domestic violence or sexual assault) K'Star Emergency Shelter (children) Salvation Army Lodge (indigent adults and families) Emergency Financial Services Christian Assistance Ministry Churches of various denominations Salvation Army St. Vincent De Paul Society V. PRIORITIES, NEEDS AND GAPS IN SERVICES IDENTIFIED IN 2004 CO PLAN The 2004 Kerr County Community Plan identified major cz-Lminal justice issues that were of concern to the citizens of Kerr County. Additionally, in an attempt to move towards a compr ehensive community planning strategy; community needs and gaps in services that are not directly related to criminal justice were also identified. The major criminal justice categories that the community -planning group identified in 2004 were: 1. Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 2. Victim Services 3. Public Safety and Law Enforcement 4. Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness 8 -- VI. REVISION OF PRIORITIES, NEED AND GAPS IN SERVICE FOR 2004 1..ILJVENII,E _IIUSTICE Issues pertaining to juvenile justice and delinquency in our area continue to be a top priority in the Kerr County Community Plan. Within the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency portion of the Kerr County Community Plan priority is given to the following programs: Priority #1 Prevention and intervention programs that address delinquency, truancy, substance and alcohol abuse, runaways, gangs, property crime; and provide counseling, mentoring, character development and structured activities for juveniles and their famines. Priority #2 Programs that provide substance abuse treatment including residential treatment and mental health services. Priority #3 Programs that provide counseling and transitional living services for pre and post adjudicated juveniles and their families Priority #4 Programs that provide life skills education, including GED and experimental therapy programs including but not limited to ROPES courses. The statistics provided in this community plan show that the level of delinquent activity by juveniles has increased. In addition to the increased level of referrals to the juvenile authorities, many of the community -based programs that were once available to juvenile offenders have been cut in recent years due to a lack of funding. While it is understood that punitive punishment is necessary when dealing with delinquent behavior; there is also a growing awareness that intervention and rehabilitation strategies are imperative in successfully dealing with juvenile justice concerns. Kerr County's Juvenile Probation Department does not currently have resources available to address the gaps in services. 2. VICTII~I SERVICESr Within the Victim Services portion of the Kerr County Community Plan priority is given to programs that provide: 9 Priority #1 Programs that provide services to victims and their -- non-offending family members of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual abuse that provide basic needs such as shelter, counseling, legal and personal advocacy (including hospital accompaniment), limited medical and financial assistance, cri sis intervention, hot line, information referral, forensic interviews, and a Crime Victim Liaison/Coordinator. Priority #2 Programs that provide prevention and intervention programs that address domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, Internet crime and provide outreach/awareness education, child care, job training, financial assistance, housing, transportation, mental health services, substance abuse services and case management coordination. Priority #3 Programs that provide Continued Legal Representat ion and legal advocacy through both the civil and criminal justice systems. Priority #4 Training for Law Enforcement and other victim s services providers. Priority #5 Collaborations that utilize technology to expand or enhance delivery of victim's services. Historically, many of the resources listed earlier in this plan have worked to provide support and socsal services to those individuals (victim and non - victim) who seek assistance. In Kerr County, we are able to give limited help to families and individuals who seek basic needs (food, clothing, childcare, temporary housing, and utility bills). There is some local advocacy for the disabled as well as some job training and development. In addition, there is some medical and dental care available as well as limited, no cost or sliding scale counseling. In our community (those agencies and organizations who provide victims services, in particular) has made good progress in coordinating services and networking information so that our resources are optim ally used and maximum benefits realized. 3. PUBLIC SAFETY AND NARCOTICS LAW ENFORCEMENT - As the population of Kerr County continues to grow, so do problems concerning public safety, narcotics enforcement and juvenile -related crimes. Additionally, local law-enforcement agencies, fire departments and emergency medical units must now concern themselves with issues of Homeland Security io and emergency preparedness. Local law enforcement agencies lack the funding, personnel and equipment necessary to provide the needed level of law enforcement if they are to effectively combat the crime in Kerr County. By participation in the Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Narcotics Task Force, these agencies are able to deal with Kerr County's drug problem in a comprehensive manner. The Public Safety and Law Enforcement section of the Kerr County Community Plan gives priority to: Priority #1 -Establishment of a Crime Victims Coordinator to provide assistance to all victims of crime in preparing a Crime Victims Compensation packet, provide referral information, coordinate benefits, and proper case management. Priority #2 -Prevention and intervention programs that address crime including CVC liaison, investigation and prosecution services. Priority #3 -Hire School Resource Officers and/ or law enforcement professionals that deal specifically with juvenile offenders. Priority #4 -Provide disaster preparedness training and purchase equipment that are necessary when responding to a domestic disaster. Priority #5 -School Safety training and a collaboration of funding for public safety programs and community coordinated efforts for all hazards. Priority #6 -There is an identified need and a legislative mandate, to facilitate jail diversion for the persons wh o have committed misdemeanors due to a mental illness; so that their release can be considered and facilitated on condition that they will agree to intervention and treatment of their condition. Priority #7 -Maintain the operation of the Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Narcotics Task Force Gans in Service• ii A Crime Victims Coordinator was a major issue of discussion in the planning group. Training and equipment are needed for law enforcement, --~ fire and emergency medical personnel where Homeland Security issues are concerned. (See attached Kerr County Emergency Management Analysis adopted by Kerr County Commissioner's Court in March 2003.) Kerr County has some school resource officers at present and it would be helpful to also have juvenile officers who would handle off -campus investigations. VII. OF PROGRESS TO BE MADE IN MEETING PRIORITIES, NEEDS AND GAPS IN SERVICE l..luvenile Tustice and Delinauencv -our priorities, needs and gaps in service focus on the support and expansion of programs that: • prevent juvenile crime • intervene and make changes in the lives of at -risk children • support the work of law enforcement agencies as they work with Kerr County's youth. Our goal is to offer a full spectrum of juvenile justice related services in Kerr County. These services would include prevention and intervention programs which focus on character building, decision making and .~ leadership, life skills, substance abuse, counseling and adequate law enforcement involvement in juvenile issues. Our objective is to find continuing support for existing prevention and intervention programs and find resources to add new programs. 2. Victim Services -Our priorities, needs and gaps in service focus on the support and expansion of programs that provide: • services to victims of felony crime, of child abuse, of domestic violence, and of sexual abuse • education and prevention programs that focus on topics related to those four categories Our goal is to provide a full spectrum of victim service programs in Kerr County. These programs would assist each victim of a crime with direct services such as benefit application, counseling and advocacy. Programs would also provide education to the whole community about issues that are related to crime and victimization. 12 Priority #4 Programs that provide life skills education, including GID and experimental therapy programs including but not limited to ROPES courses. 2. Victim Services - In Victim Services priority is given to Priority #1 Programs that provide services to victims and their non-offending family members of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual abuse that provide basic needs such as shelter, counseling, legal and personal advocacy (including hospital accompaniment), limited medic al and financial assistance, crisis intervention, hot line, information/referral, forensic interviews, and a Crime Victim Liaison/Coordinator. Priority #2 Programs that provide prevention and intervention programs that address domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, Internet crime and provide outreach/awareness education, child care, job training, financial assistance, housing, transportation, mental health services, substance abuse services and case management coordination. _ Priority #3 Programs that provide Continued Legal Representation and legal advocacy through both the civil and criminal justice systems. Priority #4 Training for Law Enforcement and other victim s services providers. Priority #5 Collaborations that utilize technology to expand or enhance delivery of victim s services. 3. Public Safety and Narcotics Law Enforcement -gives priority to: Priority #1 -Establishment of a Crime Victims Coordinator to provide assistance to all victims of crime in preparing a Crime Victims Compensation p acket, provide referral information, coordinate benefits, and proper case management. 14 Priority #2 -Prevention and intervention programs that address crime including CVC liaison, investigation and prosecution --~ services. Priority #3 -Hire School Resource Officers and/ or law enforcement professionals that deal specifically with juvenile offenders. Priority #4 -Provide disaster preparedness training and purchase equipment that are necessary when responding to a domestic disaster. Priority #5 -School Safety training and a collaboration of funding for public safety programs and community coordinated efforts for all hazards. Priority #6 -There is an identified need and a legislative mandate, to facilitate jail diversion for the persons who have committed misdemeanors due to a mental illness; so that their release can be considered and facilitated on condition that they will agree to intervention and treatment of their condition. Priority #7 -Maintain the operation of the 216th Judicial Narcotics Task Force. 4. Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Kerrville, Ingram and Kerr County's emergency preparedness issues are being handled through the Department of Homeland Security. EVALUATION OF PROGRAM IIVIPACT The Kerr County Community Planning Commit tee will review and evaluate the impact of funded programs and the need for programs on an annual basis. Its evaluation criteria will include the review of funded agencies' purpose statements, output and outcome measures and the agencies' most recent performance report filed with the Governor's Office. 15