COUNCILOR JACKSON SEEKS TO INCREASE SAFETY AND OPPORTUNITY

COUNCILOR JACKSON SEEKS TO INCREASE SAFETY AND OPPORTUNITY

Boston, MA - In the wake of multiple tragedies that have recently afflicted many of Boston’s neighborhoods, Councilor Tito Jackson today filed legislation aimed at reducing gun violence, and promoting safety and opportunities throughout the city.

“Our community is at a crossroad. We have a choice to make meaningful change, and uplift our community, or face staying on the current course,” said Councilor Jackson.

The first piece of legislation filed by Councilor Jackson aims to have the Boston City Council support The Justice Reinvestment Act filed by State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz and State Representative Mary Keefe. The legislation filed by Senator Diaz and Representative Keefe includes four primary reforms in criminal sanctions. The reforms include a repeal of mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes, a step down of certain non-violent felonies to misdemeanors with shorter terms of incarceration, a creation of medical parole regulations for inmates who are permanently incapacitated, and an elimination of automatic collateral sanctions at the RMV for drug related offences that are unrelated to operating a vehicle. The Act also requires that any savings accrued from these sentencing and reentry reforms to be calculated, tracked, and reinvested into broad based community education and workforce development programs for youth, those living below the poverty line, those with long term unemployment needs, victims of violence, and other vulnerable populations.

“Our criminal justice system is currently costing taxpayers $53,000 per year per incarcerated person without the kind of returns taxpayers should expect for that kind of money. Compare that to an average per pupil expenditure of just over $14,000. This math does not work for taxpayers, for our children, or for the safety of our communities. I am grateful to Councilor Tito Jackson for taking on this issue at the city level,” said Senator Chang-Diaz

“The Justice Reinvestment Act at its core is about re-examining our priorities,” said Representative Keefe.  “We need to stop focusing on severing connections between people and isolating individuals through incarceration and stigmatization, and refocus our efforts on reconnecting and strengthening ties within our community, and one way to do so is through gainful employment. Our work lives are one of the important ways that keeps us accountable in society and connected to our community.”

To strengthen this legislation Councilor Jackson filed a hearing order set to address gun violence in the city of Boston. Despite the drop in 'homicides with guns', in its most recent reports, Boston Police Department indicates a spike in shootings in 2015 compared to 2014.

The hearing order filed by Jackson will pull together all key agencies related to public safety, and initiate a thorough review of the current initiatives approaching gun violence, with a special focus on reviewing the “Richmond Model”.  

The innovative Richmond Model, similar to Boston’s Operation Ceasefire Program, takes a multifaceted approach utilizing partnerships from the private/public sector, community involvement, and technology.  The program utilizes “neighborhood change agents” that check-in with members of the community, often in local barbershops, churches, corners stores, etc, and report back to local officials what is going on in the community. Paired with data from Boston Police, change agents are able to seek out those most at risk to commit a violent crime, and through life coaching, mentorship, and other positive reinforcement mechanisms, change agents are often able to diffuse community tensions and reduce violence.