CAPCOG Regional Strategic Criminal Justice Plan

Transcription

1 CAPCOG Regional Strategic Criminal Justice Plan FY 2017 Prepared by the Capital Area Council of Governments for the Office of the Governor s Criminal Justice Division December, 2015

2 Table of Contents Executive Summary... Section 1 Regional Overview... Section 2 Population and Growth Further Components of Growth Demographic Characteristics Employment Characteristics Regional Uniform Crime Statistics... Section 3 Uniform Crime Statistics..3.1 Detailed Arrest Data County by County Analysis Past Grant Funding to the Region... Section 4 Regional Criminal Justice Planning Process and Priorities... Section 5 Planning Process Stakeholder Participants Regional Priorities Survey Results.5.4 1

3 Section 1: Executive Summary The Regional Strategic Plan encompasses the ten counties (Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis, and Williamson counties) in the CAPCOG service region. The purpose of the Strategic Plan is to identify gaps in direct victim assistance, juvenile justice, mental health, and criminal justice issues so that services, existing programs, new initiatives, and funding opportunities may be reviewed and resources targeted accordingly. Planning Process Planning for funding in FY 2017 began with two regional stakeholder outreach meetings conducted in October 2015 and a survey of needs was placed on the CAPCOG website and ed to all stakeholders on record. Participants were asked to identify needs within their area of expertise related to: Training; Direct Services; Education & Outreach; Investigation and/or Prosecution; Support Technology and Equipment; and Staffing and Personnel Support (direct or contractual). These needs identified by the stakeholders and the survey results were reviewed by the CAPCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (CJAC) and recommended to the CAPCOG Executive Committee for adoption as regional priorities. Data sources were identified to best drive analysis of regional needs with consideration to resource gaps, trends in type of problem, and priorities of relevant funding sources. This Executive Summary lists the regional priorities in each of the following areas: Criminal Justice System Improvements; Juvenile Justice System Improvements; School-based Improvements; Direct Victim Services, and Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment identified in the regional planning process and approved by the CJAC. Criminal Justice System Improvements Training local trainings with regional partners covering topics like social media and community policing, human trafficking, crime analysis, active shooter, mental health issues. Technological Improvements - support courts/prosecutors getting digital data from cops/cloud, hardware, increased bandwidth, software licensing / site licensing, crime analyst technology, field level technology like in car computers and in car video system, upgrades to security of criminal justice buildings and employee parking areas, forensic labs and equipment, criminal justice information systems. Mental Health Services mental health screening in jails to catch those missed at other steps, diversion tools and trainings for targeted populations, co-response teams/ multidisciplinary teams, mental health first aid training, stabilization of care. Outreach/Education provide strategies to the public for reducing and hardening against crime, outreach software and services to educate and inform the public, flyers and PSAs targeting all crime. Programmatic Personnel Specialty Services veterans services, indigent defense funds, bridge housing, investigations to look at/ follow up on old cases. 2

4 Juvenile Justice System Improvements Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking policy advocacy, specialized placement for DMST victims, identification of victims, peer/survivor mentor programs, training for officers and educators. Mental Health Trauma informed counselors and therapist, psychiatric services for youth, mental health officers, juvenile psychiatric emergency services, psychiatric and substance abuse treatments. Programmatic Personnel Officers, Mental Health Officers, patrol/ security to facilities, mental health professionals in schools, hospitals, and shelters, training for existing staff. Re-entry / Aftercare transitional and independent living, housing specialized also for sex offenders, job training, employment coaches/ specialists, employment supports and education, young adult services and programming, prosocial recreational and leisure activities. Community Supports evidence based practices, respite, bilingual parent services, parent education, parent coaches, substance abuse peer support, prosocial recreational and leisure activities. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Diversity Services specialized services, training for officers, schools, and peers. School Based peer mentoring programs, job training outside the classroom, summer camps, after school activities, and Children of Incarcerated Parents (CIP) Programs. Direct Victim Services Programmatic Personnel counselors, legal and other advocates, attorneys for civil cases, translators, sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) nurses, supervision/ debriefing support for direct service staff, advocates based in county and/or district attorney s office and law enforcement departments Multicultural/Multilingual Support Services there is a need for multicultural/multilingual accommodations, interpreters and assistance personnel in all areas victims interact with (support services, law enforcement, and criminal justice) Training cross-training for parent service providers, SANE services, for law enforcement on how to handle different victims, stakeholder specific trainings for law enforcement, medical/ behavioral health practitioners, school personnel, and youth services Public Education and Awareness violence prevention in schools and with youth, for healthcare providers on domestic violence and sexual assault, violence prevention education staff and materials, needs of culturally specific communities Basic Victim Services emergency and long term shelters, transitional housing, SANE coordination and equipment, Technological Improvements technology to identify GPS trackers in vehicles, jammers for drones, portable cameras for victims, mobile technology for use with victims in the field, shared database between criminal justice partners for all victims/ offenders data, evaluation of best videoing practices throughout the investigative process Mental Health/Substance Treatment Supportive Recovery Services treatment and recovery from substance abuse and/or trauma, diversion programs, assessors and case workers in jails to work with individuals with mental health issues help find services and follow up after release, gap analysis to identify lack of service availability, map out process of identification of mental health needs to services, crisis residence for mental health emergencies 3

5 Housing provide stable living situation for homeless with mental health needs, transitional housing, housing availability/ stock, provide appropriate housing based on mental health needs Training Mental Health Public Defender Programs, provide social worker(s) or case worker(s) to law enforcement agency, provide training to law enforcement, attorneys, and others in the criminal justice system, educate landlords about tenants with mental health issues Indigent Defense specialized training for public defenders/ court appointed officials on working with individuals with mental health issues. Programmatic Personnel Crisis Respite Centers jail/emergency room diversion programs and regional support for overflows. Programs to provide facilities and services as soon as possible after law enforcement intervention. It is anticipated that this Strategic Plan will be reviewed and updated annually and that it will serve as a guide for continued improvement of Criminal Justice programs and services across the CAPCOG region. 4

6 Section 2: An Overview of the CAPCOG Region 2.1 Population and Growth of the CAPCOG Region The CAPCOG region has grown steadily over the past four decades. Since 1970, the region s overall population has increased by 309.4%, from roughly 450,000 residents to just over 1.8 million residents by 2010, as shown below in Figure 2.1. Figure 2.1 Total Regional Population, ,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000, , , , ,000 0 Regional Population, ,841, , Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Local Area Income, The population change has been unevenly distributed, as Table 2.1 below demonstrates. For instance, Travis County (as the primary county of the Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)) has consistently held the highest population of the region. However, as Figure 2.2 shows, Williamson County has shown by far the highest rates of increase across decades, followed by Hays County, which is largely to the south of the Austin city limits but contains significant portions of the Austin MSA. High growth in these two counties highlights the continuing expansion of population into the outlying areas of the Austin MSA. By contrast, counties such as Lee, Fayette, and Caldwell have shown a more steady growth rate. 5

7 % Change Table 2.1 Population per County, Area Bastrop 17,446 25,082 38,260 58,234 74,347 Blanco 3,591 4,683 5,964 8,495 10,512 Burnet 11,567 17,905 22,654 34,505 42,802 Caldwell 21,208 23,779 26,277 32,378 38,084 Fayette 17,628 19,032 20,028 21,864 24,520 Hays 27,874 41,093 65,767 99, ,289 Lee 8,073 11,246 12,811 15,701 16,610 Llano 7,019 10,121 11,684 17,077 19,341 Travis 297, , , ,692 1,030,219 Williamson 37,558 77, , , ,722 Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Local Area Income, Figure 2.2: Change in Growth Rate Across CAPCOG Counties, % Percentage Change in Population by County 100.0% 80.0% 60.0% 40.0% 20.0% 0.0% Bastrop Blanco Burnet Caldwell Fayette Hays Lee Llano Travis Williamson Source: Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Local Area Income, 6

8 2.2 Further Components of Change in Regional Population The information below allows for an analysis of gross population trends. However, it does not assess the source of population growth in the region. Through information provided by the Internal Revenue Service, net population change can be calculated based on total out-migration and in-migration on an annual basis, separate from total births and deaths and from in-migration from outside of the United States. The location of this migration can be mapped at the national level. For instance, Figure 2.3 compares the migration patterns for Fayette County from 2005 to As Figure 2.2 demonstrates, Fayette County has historically shown the lowest rate of population increase over the three-decade period. While 2005, 2007, and 2008 showed significant inbound migration, other years show inbound and outbound migration to be roughly equal. Furthermore, Figure 2.4 shows the counties from which and to which Fayette County residents have moved over the six-year period. Residents have migrated primarily from other counties in East Texas and migrated to counties in West Texas. Figure 2.3: Fayette County Migration Patterns, (Source for all migration data, 7

9 Figure 2.4: Fayette County Migration Location Patterns (orange = outbound; blue=inbound) Williamson County exhibited the fastest growth rate across all counties in the CAPCOG region. Williamson County data is detailed in the same manner in Figures 2.5 and 2.6. As the figures demonstrate, inbound migration outpaced outbound migration substantially over every five year period. However, more interestingly, the geography of Williamson County s migration shows that its extent is much further reaching and more disperse than for Fayette County. While a significant portion of residents have migrated from other major metropolitan areas in Texas (notably the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and Houston-Harris County areas) many have migrated in from places such as the greater Chicago area, New York, Southern California, Silicon Valley, Seattle and the greater Phoenix area. Figure 2.5: Williamson County Migration Patterns,

10 Figure 2.6: Williamson County Migration Location Patterns (orange = outbound; blue=inbound) 2.3 Demographic Characteristics of the Region As percentages in Table 2.2 and Figure 2.7 show, the proportions of each racial demographic in the CAPCOG area remained largely the same from 2000 to The only categories to change by an entire percentage point were the Asian and Other categories. Despite this, as Figures 2.8a and 2.9 shows, the proportional share of residents with a Hispanic/Latino ethnicity increased significantly, from 25% to 31%. Table 2.2: CAPCOG Regional and Ethnic Demographic Characteristics, Racial Demographics (# of residents) American Indian 7, % 14, % Asian 44, % 82, % African American 103, % 131, % Native % 1, % Hawaiian/Pacific Other 165, % 193, % Multiracial 34, % 56, % Caucasian 991, % 1,349, % TOTAL 1,348,834 1,832,014 Ethnic Demographics (# of residents) Non-Hispanic/Latino 1,006, % 1,271, % Hispanic/Latino 340, % 558, % TOTAL 1,346,833 1,830,003 9

11 Figure 2.7: Racial Composition in CAPCOG Region, 2000 & 2010 CAPCOG Area Racial Composition, Percentages in 2000 & % 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Caucasian Multiracial Other Native Hawaiin/Pacific African American Asian American Indian Figure 2.8: CAPCOG Area Ethnic Composition, 2000 CAPCOG Area Ethnic Composition 2000 Hispanic/Latino 25% Non- Hispanic/Latino 75% 10

12 Figure 2.9: CAPCOG Area Ethnic Composition, 2010 CAPCOG Area Ethnic Composition 2010 Hispanic/Latino 31% Non- Hispanic/Latino 69% 2.4 Employment Characteristics The CAPCOG region hosts a high number and diversity of employers. Urban counties such as Travis and Williamson have higher professional and technical service employers, as these tech corridors host computer hardware and semiconductor manufacturing facilities, such as Dell Computers, National Instruments, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Freescale. Rural counties, such as Caldwell, Burnet, and Lee tend to host higher proportions of construction and mining/quarry businesses. Table 2.3 below shows the number of private sector employment establishments throughout the region by North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code and description as of As the data show, most employers in the CAPCOG region are classified as Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (NAICS Code: 54). Table 2.4 details the specific categories that fall under this designation. Table 2.5 further details the number of employees within each 2-digit NAICS code classification in the region, again for the year As this table shows, while professional, scientific and technical services provide a greater number of places of employment across the CAPCOG region, more individuals are employed within educational services in the region. These employees include not only primary, secondary, and higher learning institutional instructors, but also employees of standardized exam preparatory services, language schools, flight training, and cosmetology schools. 11

13 Table 2.3: Places of Employment in CAPCOG Region by NAICS category, NAICS # of % of Code NAICS Code Description Establishments Total Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting % Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction % Utilities % Construction % Manufacturing % Wholesale trade % Retail trade % Transportation and warehousing % Information % Finance and insurance % Real estate and rental and leasing % Professional, scientific, and technical services % Management of companies and enterprises % Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services % Educational services % Health care and social assistance % Arts, entertainment, and recreation % Accommodation and food services % Other services (except public administration) % Industries not classified % ---- TOTAL 48, % Source: U.S. Census County Business Patterns ( 1 County Business Pattern data does not include public sector employees. 12

14 Table 2.4: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 4-digit sub-categories 4-digit NAICS Code Category Description 5411 Legal Services 5412 Accounting Services 5413 Architectural and Engineering 5414 Specialized/Interior/Graphic Design 5415 Computer Systems Design 5416 Management, Scientific, & Technical Consulting 5417 Scientific Research & Development 5418 Advertising & Public Relations 5419 Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Source: U.S. Census County Business Patterns ( 13

15 Table 2.5: Number of Employees by NAICS category in CAPCOG Region, 2013 NAICS # of Average # of Employees per % of Total Code NAICS Code Description Employees Establishment Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 1, Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction 4, Utilities 7, Construction 50, Manufacturing 55, Wholesale Trade 47, Retail Trade 92, Transportation and Warehousing 13, Information 25, Finance and Insurance 35, Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 15, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 80, Management of Companies and Enterprises 6, Administration & Support, Waste Management 58, and Remediation Educational Services 111, Health Care and Social Assistance 102, Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 13, Accommodation and Food Services 88, Other Services (excluding Public 31, Administration) 7 N/A Public Administration 63,376 N/A 7.0 TOTAL 904, Source: U.S. Census On the Map Data Imager ( 2 Taken by dividing number employees by number of establishments in Table

16 Table 2.6: Unemployment by County in CAPCOG Area, July 2014 FIPS Code County Labor Force Employed Unemployed Unemployment Rate (%) 021 Bastrop County 36,886 35,118 1, Blanco County 5,684 5, Burnet County 21,598 20, Caldwell County 17,572 16, Fayette County 13,237 12, Hays County 92,604 88,699 3, Lee County 9,332 8, Llano County 8,154 7, Travis County 649, ,322 26, Williamson County 254, ,539 10, N/A TOTAL 1,108,977 1,062,989 45,

17 Section 3: An Overview of Crime in the CAPCOG Region 3.1 Uniform Crime Statistics All crime statistics in this section of the strategic plan report were taken from the Texas Department of Public Safety Uniform Crime Reporting program, referencing the Federal Bureau of Investigation s Uniform Crime Statistics. Table 3.1 presents the number of cases of seven different categories of crime that comprise two broader categories: violent crimes and property crimes. The table presents changes from a ten year period from 2004 to 2014, the most current available reporting period. Most categories reveal little change in the decade, but note that the region added over half a million people. The rate of crime is a better indication of criminal activity levels and is discussed later in this section. Table 3.1: CAPCOG Region Crime Statistics, 2004 and 2014 CAPCOG REGION Change Population 1,505,428 2,053, ,302 Total Violent Crime 5,275 5, Murder Rape 374 1, Robbery 1,577 1, Assault 3,134 3, Total Property Crime 60,945 57,498-3,447 Burglary 11,270 9,974-1,296 Larceny 45,995 44,326-1,669 Auto Theft 3,680 3, Total Crime 66,220 63,386-2,834 Table 3.2: Change in Uniform Crime Rates in CAPCOG Area, CAPCOG REGION Change Population 1,505,428 2,053, ,302 Total Violent Crime Murder Rape Robbery Assault Total Property Crime 4, , ,249 Burglary Larceny , Auto Theft Total Crime 4, , ,312 16

18 Table 3.2 above details the rate of crime per 100,000 residents and the change in rates over the last 10 years for each crime sub-category. As the data shows, there is a clear pattern of a drop in crime rates over all categories, except for rape. Texas transitioned to the FBI s new definition of rape in There was an over 50% increase in the number of rapes per 100,000 people that occurred from 2013 to 2014 in the state. The new definition of rape is the most likely reason for the increase in this category. Year-to-year data exhibits the same trend, but some inconsistencies were noted. For example, the murder/manslaughter rate in 2010 saw the single highest increase across any one year period and for any sub-category, driven almost entirely by incidents reported by the Austin Police Department, where the number of these cases increased from 22 incidents in 2009 to 38 in This represented a 72% increase in incidents between years, where the overall population of the city saw only a 2.7% increase. While a definitive explanation for this increase is not currently available, officials of the APD have previously attributed this increase to the economic downturn that faced the city starting in 2009 and moving forward into Table 3.3 below provides further context for the reduced crime rates. The table compares the same regional crime rate data with the state numbers. The middle, darker-blue column subtracts column 2 (2014 state rates) from column 1 (2014 regional rates) to show that most crimes, with the exception of larceny, occur less-often in the CAPCOG region than they do in the state as a whole. The pink columns (columns 4 & 5) describe 10 year changes in the rates for the region and state. As detailed in the previous table, the regional rates have all dropped significantly. Note that the state change is even more dramatic. The far right column compares the rate changes of the region and state on a percentage basis. Although crime continues to decrease in the region and the rate of crime is lower than the state, crime dropped at a much faster pace across the state than in the region between the 2004 and 2014 reporting periods. For example, the region s reduction in violent crime was 47% of the state drop. In other words, the region s drop was less than half of the state reduction (64 fewer violent crimes per year out of 100,000 people in the region) versus (136 fewer violent crimes per year out of 100,000 people in the state). Multiple variables contribute to crime rates, and this report did not attempt to control for these various factors. The trends suggest that there is a baseline level of crime across the region and the state that creates a curve in the data towards the baseline. Note that several criminal categories, such as white collar crimes, drug crimes, and DWI are not included in the data. A more detailed description of all crimes is included in section

19 Table 3.3: State and Regional Crime Rate Comparisons Total Violent Crime 2014 Regional Rates (Crime/100,000) Murder 2.6 Rape 49.0 Robbery 54.9 Assault Total Property Crime 2,799.7 Burglary Larceny 2,158.3 Auto Theft Total Crime 3, State Rates 2014 Regional versus State 10 yr Regional Rate Change 10 yr State Rate Change , ,249-1, , , , , yr change: Region vs State Detailed Adult and Juvenile Arrest Data Tables 3.4 and 3.5 details provides further detail for specific categories of arrest for all arrests made in the CAPCOG region for adult and juvenile offenders, respectively, in the year This year represents the most recent complete set of data collected via the Uniform Crime Statistics. Note that while these specific data are housed through Uniform Crime Statistics, they had to be accessed via the Texas Department of Public Safety Uniform Crime Statistics Office at the state level due to their specificity. 18

20 Table 3.4: Regional Arrest Information by Category for Offenders Age 18 and above, 2014 Classification of Offense # of Arrests Murder/Non-negligent Manslaughter 30 Manslaughter by Negligence 3 Forcible Rape 53 Robbery 265 Aggravated Assault 1,381 Burglary-Breaking or Entering 711 Larceny-Theft(Except Motor Vehicle) 6,333 Motor Vehicle Theft 110 Other Assaults 5,870 Arson 23 Forgery/Counterfeiting 383 Fraud 885 Embezzlement 31 Stolen Property(Buy,Receive, Possess) 50 Vandalism 474 Weapons (Carry/Possess, etc.) 663 Prostitution and Commercial Vice 143 Sex Offenses(Except Forcible Rape) 207 Drug Abuse Violations(Total) 9,545 Drugs-Sale/Manufacture (Subtotal) 469 Drugs-Sale/Manufacture (Opium, Cocaine, Morphine, Heroin, Codeine) 224 Drugs-Sale/Manufacture (Marijuana) 84 Drugs-Sale/Manufacture (Synthetic Narcotics) 64 Drugs-Sale/Manufacture (Other Dangerous) 97 Drugs-Possession (Subtotal) 9,076 Drugs-Possession (Opium, Cocaine, Morphine, Heroin, Codeine) 1,661 Drugs-Possession (Marijuana) 5,398 Drugs-Possession (Synthetic Narcotics) 819 Drugs-Possession (Other Dangerous) 1,198 Gambling(Total) 28 Gambling Bookmaking-Horse/Sports 1 Gambling Numbers and Lottery 0 Gambling All Other Gambling 27 Offenses Against Family and Children 224 Driving Under the Influence 8,934 Liquor Laws 1,365 Drunkenness 4,889 Disorderly Conduct 378 Vagrancy 9 All Other Offenses (Except Traffic) 22,786 TOTAL 66,146 19

21 Table 3.5: Regional Arrest Information by Category for Offenders Age under 18, 2014 Classifications of Offenses # of Arrests Murder/Non-negligent Manslaughter 2 Manslaughter by Negligence 0 Forcible Rape 14 Robbery 77 Aggravated Assault 181 Burglary-Breaking or Entering 306 Larceny-Theft (Except Motor Vehicle) 1,210 Motor Vehicle Theft 29 Other Assaults 1,123 Arson 17 Forgery/Counterfeiting 6 Fraud 35 Embezzlement 1 Stolen Property (Buy,Receive, Possess) 7 Vandalism 208 Weapons (Carry/Possess, etc.) 52 Prostitution and Commercial Vice 1 Sex Offenses (Except Forcible Rape) 50 Drug Abuse Violations (Total) 1,179 Drugs-Sale/Manufacture(Subtotal) 39 Drugs-Sale/Manufacture 12 (Opium, Cocaine, Morphine, Heroin, Codeine) Drugs-Sale/Manufacture (Marijuana) 17 Drugs-Sale/Manufacture (Synthetic Narcotics) 4 Drugs-Sale/Manufacture (Other Dangerous) 6 Drugs-Possession(Subtotal) 1,140 Drugs-Possession (Opium, Cocaine, Morphine, Heroin, Codeine) 63 Drugs-Possession(Marijuana) 959 Drugs-Possession (Synthetic Narcotics) 57 Drugs-Possession (Other Dangerous) 61 Gambling(Total) 1 Gambling Bookmaking-Horse/Sports 0 Gambling Numbers and Lottery 0 Gambling All Other Gambling 1 Offenses Against Family and Children 7 Driving Under the Influence 65 Liquor Laws 288 Drunkenness 47 Disorderly Conduct 86 Vagrancy 97 All Other Offenses(Except Traffic) 1,416 Curfew and Loitering Law Violations 554 Runaway 203 TOTAL 7,265 20

22 Crime per 100, County by County Analysis County level crime statistics are reported in this section to give a better view of how criminal activity has occurred and trends have developed across the region in the last 10 years. It should be noted that the scope of this report did not include crime data for the years between 2004 and The rates of change are comparisons of two time periods and are not compounded rates. For county level analysis, especially smaller counties, statistical anomalies may skew the perceived trends. Figure 3.1 is a graph of the total crime rate per 100,000 people in 2014 for the state and each of the 10 counties in the CAPCOG region. The total crime rate is generally lower in the rural counties, although Williamson County has one of the lowest figures. The rate for Travis County is slightly higher than the state. Caldwell, Burnet, Hays, Llano, and Lee all have very similar rates. The data is represented in map form in Figure 3.2. Figure 3.1: CAPCOG Total Crime Rates per 100,000 people,

23 Figure 3.2: Map of CAPCOG Total Crime Rates per 100,000 people, 2014 Numbers listed by each county represent total crime per 100,000 residents 22

24 Crime per 100,000 Figure 3.3: CAPCOG Violent Crime Rates per 100,000 people, Figure 3.3 (above) presents the rate of violent crime by county. The rates by county are similar to the total crime distribution, although Travis County has a lower rate than the state in the violent crime category. 23

25 Crime per 100,000 Figure 3.4: Percent Changes in Violent Crime Rates, , by CAPCOG County % % % % % 50.00% 0.00% % % Figure 3.4 (above) describes the rate of violent crime reduction in the last 10 years by county. As discussed in the previous section, the region s crime reduction rate is lower than the state s. With the exception of Caldwell, no county in the region experienced a reduction in crime greater than the state total. Figure 3.5 (next page) describes the rate of total crime reduction in the last 10 years by county. Blanco and Caldwell Counties decrease in total crime rate exceeded the state decrease. All counties in the region except Fayette saw a decrease in total crime rate. Comparing Figure 3.4 and 3.5, Bastrop, Hays, Burnet, and Blanco saw an increase in violent crimes, but a decrease in total crime. Fayette is the only county in the region to experience rising rates of violent crime and total crime, bucking state and national trends, 2014 seems to be an outlier in terms of crime in Fayette County. A map of this data is included as Figure 3.6. The total rate of crime has increased in the outlying communities in the last decade. A growing concern among planners is the suburbanization of poverty rising housing costs in the urban core has driven people farther from where government and social services have traditionally located. Transportation and energy costs are also typically higher for these families. Poverty rates have increased in these areas, and criminal justice planners noted that this has corresponded to increased crime. Outlying communities are often not equipped to deal with rising crime 24

26 Crime per 100,000 rates, and as federal funding for crime prevention and law enforcement follow national trends of overall crime reduction, it becomes harder to find resources to handle increased crime rates in rural areas. Figure 3.5: Percent Changes in Total Crime Rates, , by CAPCOG County 80.00% 60.00% 40.00% 20.00% 0.00% % % % Figure 3.6: Map of Changes in Total Crime Rates, , by CAPCOG County 25

27 Section 4: Past Grant Funding to the Region 4.1 Available Data CJD records information provided by grant applicants on total funding, types of victims served, and activities performed with the grant funding. The data is available for the General Victim s Assistance and Violent Crimes Against Women programs from a nine year period between 2008 and CAPCOG cross-linked funding with activity and victim information and provided analysis to criminal justice planners in the regional strategic planning workshops in order to inform the prioritization process. The purpose was to examine the balance between priority program activities and funding. Mismatches would suggest needed changes in the prioritization rankings. Regarding activities, it was determined that crisis services is often used to describe several of the other activity categories, making it difficult to make clear cut determinations. For example, legal services are sometimes provided by grantees under the crisis services label. Future data mining could attempt to more accurately report this data by manually reviewing funded applications. The criminal justice planners generally felt that the victims served and activities provided fell in line with the current state and regional priorities. However, peer support groups, shelter, technology improvements, and medical support and training are program activities that may not have received funding in the past in line with their current priority rankings. 26

28 Funding, Figure 4.1: General Victims Assistance Grants in the CAPCOG Region, Funding by Activity,

29 Figure 4.2: General Victims Assistance Grants in the CAPCOG Region, Funding by Victim Served,

30 Funding, Figure 4.3: Violent Crimes Against Women Grants in the CAPCOG Region, Funding by Activity,

31 Figure 4.3: Violent Crimes Against Women Grants in the CAPCOG Region, Funding by Victim Served,

32 Section 5: Regional Criminal Justice Planning Process and Priorities 5.1 Planning Process CAPCOG facilitated the region s first ever criminal justice strategic plan in December Prior to last year s FY 2014 plan, community-based plans were used to determine regional priorities for the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division (CJD) grants. After a year of funded projects and new issues to consider, the region initiated a new planning process. On October 29, 2015, two Regional Stakeholder Outreach Meetings were conducted, one in the morning and one in the afternoon with 46 participants total. The goals of the meetings were to: a) Create a comprehensive list of all opinions on revisions to the previous plan; b) Develop consensus of discipline groups on needed changes; and c) Discuss grant-related issues for Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (CJAC) and CJD consideration. After a presentation of updated crime statistics and data on previous grant funding to the region, participants in the morning meeting worked in small groups representing the following disciplines: 1. Criminal Justice System Improvements 2. Juvenile Justice System Improvements 3. Direct Victim Services 4. Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment The group representing juvenile justice system improvements also discussed school based system improvements, as these 2 disciplines are similar. The groups discussed and developed priority lists based on needs in the below areas: Training; Direct Services; Education & Outreach; Investigation and/or Prosecution; Support Technology and Equipment; and Staffing and Personnel Support (direct or contractual). In the afternoon meeting, participants saw the same presentation that was given during the morning meeting. They worked in the same groups as in the morning groups, using the list developed in the morning to help with the discussion they came up with their own lists of priorities. CAPCOG staff worked to mesh the lists developed in both stakeholder meetings into a priority list for comparison with the priorities from last year. 31

33 An online survey to gather information on regional criminal justice needs was developed using Survey Monkey, and distributed to criminal justice planners throughout the region on October 30, 2015 and closed on November 9, They were directed to take the survey and distribute it to anyone with a stake in criminal justice in the region. The survey was open for a little over a week and in that time 59 people responded. The CJAC met November 12, 2015 and listened to a presentation on the information to be included in the plan and were asked to help with the finalization of the regional priorities. After some discussion of the priorities members of the CJAC felt that they had not had enough time to review the information gathered by the survey, or in the stakeholder meetings and requested more time in order to make informed decisions on the regional priorities. The CJAC asked CAPCOG staff to provide them with the raw results of the survey and a side by side comparison of the priorities from last year s plan and the ones developed during the stakeholder meetings. The information provided was discussed by the CAPCOG CJAC on December 2, 2015 in preparation for the anticipated CJD Request for Applications. After the CJAC provided their input, these regional priorities were recommended to the CAPCOG Executive Committee for adoption in its December 9, 2015 meeting. The feedback gathered from regional stakeholders was intended to address the following categories of criminal justice priorities, as identified by the CJD: Direct Victim Services (including Violent Crimes Against Women); Juvenile Justice Services; Mental Health Services ; and Law Enforcement Services. Where possible, data sources were identified to best drive analysis of regional needs with consideration to resource gaps, trends in type of problem, and priorities of relevant funding sources. 5.2 Regional Planning Stakeholder Meeting Participants The regional priorities identified in this Regional Strategic Plan were the result of direct input from the following stakeholders: Name Walt Tallant Patty Conner Margaret Terronez AJ Ragosa Trisha Ratliff Thomas Castonguay Organization Kyle PD Hope Alliance Travis County Criminal Courts Round Rock PD Marble Falls PD Austin PD 32

34 Michelle Ducote Hays-Calwell Women's Center Billy Fletcher Leander PD Mirne Johnson Leander PD Kachina Clark Austin PD Ralph Fisher Manor PD Aja Gair SAFE/Austin Children's Shelter Kyran Fitzgerald Austin PD Glenn Hanson Marble Falls PD Laura Horton YWCA Greater Austin Elizabeth Hartman American Gateways Margaret Buentello Hays County Shana Fox Council on At Risk Youth Melissa Hightower Williamson County Atty Chase Stapp San Marcos PD Patricia Garcia Travis County Juvenile Probation Sherry Murphy Bastrop Family Crisis Center Gretta Gardner Travis County Justice Planning Amy Durall Travis County Sherriff's Ofc Coni Stogner Safe Alliance Elizabeth Knapp Cedar Park PD Neva Fernandez Travis County Sherriff's Ofc David Clauss American Youth Works Catherina Conte Asian Familty Support Services Bob Klett San Marcos PD Julie Watts Williamson County Juvenile Services Darla Gay Travis County DA's Office Caryn Moya Travis County Juvenile Probation Mike Wusterhausen Universtiy of Texas PD Melinda Cantu Safe Place Karen Maxwell Travis County Sherriff's Ofc Virginia Martinez Travis County Juvenile Probation Cathy McClaugherty Travis County Stacy Bruce Austin Children's Shelter Kirsha Haverlah Travis County Constable Pct 5 Tracy Lyke Round Rock PD Cliff Saylor Round Rock PD Teri LeClerq University of Texas Darlene Lanham Travis County Healthcare District Donna Orsag Lee County Viveca Martinez City of Austin Council Member Troxclair s Office 33

35 5.3 Regional Priorities The following are the regional priorities that CAPCOG identified with the assistance of the CJAC from its two Regional Stakeholder Outreach Meetings. Where possible or necessary, CAPCOG has provided additional research for identified regional priorities. Note that regional priorities may or may not be allowable activities under the eligibility criteria established by the funding source. Please refer to the official RFA for eligibility and allowable activity. Criminal Justice System Improvements Regional Priorities Training local trainings with regional partners covering topics like social media and community policing, human trafficking, crime analysis, active shooter, mental health issues Technological Improvements - support courts/prosecutors getting digital data from cops/cloud, hardware, increased bandwidth, software licensing / site licensing, crime analyst technology, field level technology like in car computers and in car video system, upgrades to security of criminal justice buildings and employee parking areas, forensic labs and equipment, criminal justice information systems Mental Health Services mental health screening in jails to catch those missed at other steps, diversion tools and trainings for targeted populations, co-response teams/ multidisciplinary teams, mental health first aid training, stabilization of care Outreach/Education provide strategies to the public for reducing and hardening against crime, outreach software and services to educate and inform the public, flyers and PSAs targeting all crime Programmatic Personnel Specialty Services veterans services, indigent defense funds, bridge housing, investigations to look at/ follow up on old cases Juvenile Justice System Improvements Regional Priorities Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking policy advocacy, specialized placement for DMST victims, identification of victims, peer/survivor mentor programs, training for officers and educators Mental Health Trauma informed counselors and therapist, psychiatric services for youth, mental health officers, juvenile psychiatric emergency services, psychiatric and substance abuse treatments Programmatic Personnel Officers, Mental Health Officers, patrol/ security to facilities, mental health professionals in schools, hospitals, and shelters, training for existing staff Re-entry / Aftercare transitional and independent living, housing specialized also for sex offenders, job training, employment coaches/ specialists, employment supports and education, young adult services and programming, prosocial recreational and leisure activities Community Supports evidence based practices, respite, bilingual parent services, parent education, parent coaches, substance abuse peer support, prosocial recreational and leisure activities Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Diversity Services specialized services, training for officers, schools, and peers 34

36 School Based peer mentoring programs, job training outside the classroom, summer camps, after school activities, and Children of Incarcerated Parents (CIP) Programs Direct Victim Services Regional Priorities Programmatic Personnel counselors, legal and other advocates, attorneys for civil cases, translators, sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) nurses, supervision/ debriefing support for direct service staff, advocates based in county and/or district attorney s office and law enforcement departments Multicultural/Multilingual Support Services there is a need for multicultural/multilingual accommodations, interpreters and assistance personnel in all areas victims interact with (support services, law enforcement, and criminal justice) Training cross-training for parent service providers, SANE services, for law enforcement on how to handle different victims, stakeholder specific trainings for law enforcement, medical/ behavioral health practitioners, school personnel, and youth services Public Education and Awareness violence prevention in schools and with youth, for healthcare providers on domestic violence and sexual assault, violence prevention education staff and materials, needs of culturally specific communities Basic Victim Services emergency and long term shelters, transitional housing, SANE coordination and equipment, Technological Improvements technology to identify GPS trackers in vehicles, jammers for drones, portable cameras for victims, mobile technology for use with victims in the field, shared database between criminal justice partners for all victims/ offenders data, evaluation of best videoing practices throughout the investigative process Mental Health/Substance Treatment Regional Priorities Supportive Recovery Services treatment and recovery from substance abuse and/or trauma, diversion programs, assessors and case workers in jails to work with individuals with mental health issues help find services and follow up after release, gap analysis to identify lack of service availability, map out process of identification of mental health needs to services, crisis residence for mental health emergencies Housing provide stable living situation for homeless with mental health needs, transitional housing, housing availability/ stock, provide appropriate housing based on mental health needs Training Mental Health Public Defender Programs, provide social worker(s) or case worker(s) to law enforcement agency, provide training to law enforcement, attorneys, and others in the criminal justice system, educate landlords about tenants with mental health issues Indigent Defense specialized training for public defenders/ court appointed officials on working with individuals with mental health issues. Programmatic Personnel Crisis Respite Centers jail/emergency room diversion programs and regional support for overflows. Programs to provide facilities and services as soon as possible after law enforcement intervention. 35

37 5.4 Survey Results The following is the results from the Regional Criminal Justice Needs Survey. The survey addresses the priority categories identified by the CJD. Background Information Below is the list of people who responded to the survey and included their name, position, and organization. 11 people responded to the survey but did not include this information. Name Position Organization Emily LeBlanc Director of Community Advocacy SafePlace Lauren Jones Grants Manager Bastrop County Women's Shelter, dba Family Crisis Center chuck kelley Sgt./ Investigator Williamson County DA's Office Wendie Abramson Chief Quality Officer SafePlace Jay Monkerud Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Caldwell County Juvenile Probation Lucy Kellison graduate student University of Texas Robert Horton Sergeant Austin Community College District Police Margaret Bassett Director Expert Witness Programs Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Marla Johnson Hays-Caldwell Women's Center Julie Sweeney Victim Outreach Specialist Travis County Attorney's Office Caitlin Sulley Research Project Director Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Mia Sneed Social Worker Doris Graeter Development Director/MEP Coordinator Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center Kathleen Anderson Hill Director of Operations CLASE University of Texas Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Sandra Eames Professor Austin Community College Laura Carter Grants Manager CASA of Travis County Sonya Villarreal Sr. Victim Services Specialist Travis County Sheriff's Office Lucy Kellison graduate students University of Texas Kathryn Daniel Assistant County Attorney Travis County Attorney's Office Leila Wood Senior Project Director IDVSA/UT Austin Lindsey Cunningham Social Services Program Coordinator Travis County Sheriff's Office Victim Services Denice Harlan Executive Director Giddings Area Chamber of Commerce Jenny Black Forensic Nursing Manager SafePlace Jerome R. Schmidt PhD Psychologist George Gumbert Director of ER SDMC James D. Allen II Sgt Manor Police Department Ricky Jorgensen City Manager City of Giddings 36

38 Erwin Sladek Concerned Citizen Fayette County Shana Fox Deputy Executive Director Council on At-Risk Youth Kathy Kasparek Resource Development Boys & Girls Club of the Highland Lakes John Roescher Captain Lockhart Police Department Patricia Bouressa Case Management Coordinator Travis County Justice Planning Mary Moran reentry administrator TCSO Adrian Moore Executive Director Council on At Risk Youth Terry Pickering Sheriff Bastrop County Sheriff's Office Cynthia Victim Counselor Travis County Attorney's Office Laurie Born Director, Substance Abuse LifeSteps Prevention Coalition Jeff Hauff Grants Administrator Hays County Rocky Wardlow Chief Horseshoe Bay Police Department Dean Higginbotham Victim Assistance - Program Director Williamson County Sheriffs Office Russell Smith Executive Director Austin Child Guidance Center Nancy Myers Program Manager Austin Travis County Intregral Care Rick White Manager, Crime Analysis and Round Rock Police Department Statistics Willie Richards Police Commander Round Rock Police Department John Roppolo Chief Investigator Hays County Criminal District Attorney Donna Orsag Educator/Non Profit Lee County Administrator Jerome Reese Juvenile Supervison Bastrop County Juvenile Services 37

39 Background (Check all that apply) Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Adult Probation 1.9% 1 Civic Organization 11.1% 6 College/University 25.9% 14 Concerned Citizen 25.9% 14 Courts/Prosecution 11.1% 6 CPS/APS 5.6% 3 Crime Victim/Service Recipient 5.6% 3 Early Childhood Education 3.7% 2 Education (K-12) 9.3% 5 Elected Official 0.0% 0 Employment/Workforce 1.9% 1 Faith-Based Organizations 5.6% 3 For-Profit Corporation 3.7% 2 Federal Agency 0.0% 0 Juvenile Probation 11.1% 6 Law Enforcement 29.6% 16 Legal Services 9.3% 5 Mental Health/ Mental Retardation Service Provider 9.3% 5 Non-Profit Agency 40.7% 22 Parent 11.1% 6 Parole/Probation (Adult) 1.9% 1 Private Sector 3.7% 2 Public Health 9.3% 5 Public Official (City Manager, Economic Development, etc.) 1.9% 1 Substance Abuse 9.3% 5 Other (please specify) 14.8% 8 answered question 54 skipped question 5 Others: Social Work and Research Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault PTSD Treatment Healthcare Provider Drug Diversion Court Sheriff s Office Crime and Delinquency Prevention Grants/ Planner 38

40 If you are completing this survey as part of an agency, check all counties that are served by your agency. If you are completing this survey as a citizen, select the county in which you reside: Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Bastrop 15.5% 9 Blanco 3.4% 2 Burnet 12.1% 7 Caldwell 13.8% 8 Fayette 5.2% 3 Hays 17.2% 10 Lee 8.6% 5 Llano 5.2% 3 Travis 58.6% 34 Williamson 20.7% 12 answered question 58 skipped question 1 39