Breaking the Cycle: Alternative Approaches for Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice System

The City of Eugene has launched several programs that have goals to intervene and help people connect with resources to address underlying issues contributing to harmful or criminal behavior. These strategies ultimately save police and emergency resources. 

Community Court

Community Court is a program for those who have committed non-violent offenses in the downtown area. 

CAHOOTS

Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets (CAHOOTS) provides mobile crisis intervention and is dispatched through the Police non-emergency communications center, which can be reached at 541-682-5111. Each team consists of a medic and crisis worker who provide immediate stabilization, assessment, referral, information, and advocacy. 

CORT

Community Outreach & Response Team (CORT) is a partnership between the Downtown Police team and White Bird. This team identifies top users of police resources in the downtown area and spends two days a week working with individuals to help them address underlying needs and barriers.  

Community Safety System 

The Community Safety System includes police, fire, 911, municipal court, and prevention and social services, all of which are interdependent and work together. The system has been under stress because growing need has continued to outpace capacity. The creative programs described above have been applied to this problem to maximize resources. However, the funding for these programs was limited. 

Bridge Funds Provide Support Through June 2020

Eugene City Council dedicated $8.6 million starting in January 2019 for 18-months of bridge funding to support the continuation of these and other programs. 

See a list of programs supported by bridge funding.  

Payroll Tax to Offer Longer-Term Solution

In June 2019, City Council passed a payroll tax ordinance to provide long-term funding after the bridge expires on June 30, 2020. 

The Community Safety Payroll Tax is expected to generate $23.6 million annually to provide faster, more efficient safety responses, deter crime, connect people to services, engage and help at-risk youth, support more investigations and court services, and add jail beds to reduce capacity-based releases and hold those who commit crimes accountable. 

Approximately 10% of the funding will toward prevention and homelessness services including adding emergency shelters, a day center, and funding after school programs as Tier 1 school.