Webinar 1. Sharing the Solutions: A National Perspective on Police-Court Partnerships to Address Homelessness
Is law enforcement the only part of the justice system that can play a role in addressing homelessness at the local level, or are there other possibilities? This webinar provides a national perspective on issues law enforcement professionals face when responding to individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as how courts are stepping up to be part of the solution.
Panel Members
Dr. Sean Goodison
Deputy Director and Senior Research Criminologist, Police Executive Research Forum*
Steve Binder, Esq.
Co-founder of the Homeless Court Program, San Diego Office of the Public Defender
Bonnie Sultan
Special Advisor, Center for Justice Innovation
View full video transcript for Webinar 1
Webinar 2. Spotlighting the Austin, Texas, HOST Team: A Cross-Agency Collaboration Serving People Experiencing Homelessness
In this webinar, Representatives from the Austin-Travis County (Texas) Police Department, Austin-Travis County EMS, and the Downtown Austin Community Court discuss the work of Austin HOST Team and how they come together to serve people experiencing homelessness. The team discusses how they have operated during the pandemic and responded to current discussions about law enforcement in their community.
Panel Members
Shelly Borton
Officer, Austin Police Department
Randy Hunt
Officer, Austin Police Department
Andy Hofmeister
Assistant Chief, Austin-Travis County EMS
Peter Valdez
Court Administrator, Downtown Austin Community Court
Patricia Barrera
Senior Business Process Consultant, Austin-Travis County EMS
Bonnie Sultan
Special Advisor, Center for Justice Innovation
View full video transcript for Webinar 2
Webinar 3. Understanding Our Past and Reforming Our Future: Law Enforcement and Homelessness
In this webinar, panelists discuss the history and intersection of policing and homelessness, current discussions around this relationship, and recommendations from law enforcement and housing policy experts for paving a path through current health and justice crises.
Panel Members
Dr. Nicola Smith-Kea
Founder and Principal, Smith-Kea Consulting
Philadelphia Police Department, Stoneleigh Fellow
Sarah Gillespie
Associate Vice President, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy, Urban Institute
Daniel McDonald
Officer (ret.), Tampa (Florida) Police Department Homeless Initiative
Bonnie Sultan
Special Advisor, Center for Justice Innovation
View full video transcript for Webinar 3
Webinar 4. Police Partnerships with Directly Impacted Individuals and Communities
Law enforcement officers help people experiencing homelessness secure housing, health, and other social services. Often, the individuals they serve have family members, friends, and other social supports who are also invested in their health and well-being; however, these family and community members are seldom at the table when police develop and implement local homelessness programs. Partnering with local advisory boards and task forces can help police work with community members invested in addressing homelessness. This webinar features members from the FLY (Fresh Lifelines for Youth) Program’s youth advisory council and executive team in conversation with the Chief of Police of Watsonville, California. They discuss how communities developing new initiatives and services can elevate youth and community voices.
Panel Members
David Honda
Chief (ret.), Watsonville (California) Police Department
Nallely Navarro
Youth Advisory Council Representative, FLY Program
Stephanie Martinez
Leadership Training, FLY Program
Susie Rivera
Vice President of Youth Voice, FLY Program
Bonnie Sultan
Special Advisor, Center for Justice Innovation
View full video transcript for Webinar 4