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Update on Criminal Justice Debt Program Advisory Committee.
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Staff:
Department:
Chris Blue, Police Chief
Chapel Hill Police Department
Megan Johnson, Crisis Unit Supervisor
Overview: In January 2020, Town Council passed a resolution adopting the Town of Chapel Hill Criminal Justice Debt Program as a pilot program in which allocated funds would be used to provide justice related debt relief to indigent members of our community. An Ad hoc Advisory Committee was formed with key stakeholders in the community and feedback was requested by Council.
Recommendation(s):
That the Council consider a resolution to modify the Criminal Justice Debt Program.
Decision Points:
* Request removal of having a violent felony as an exclusionary criteria
* Request removal limiting applicants can only apply every three years.
* Consider continuing the Committee and guidance on when the Board should request this become a standing board or task force
Key Issues:
* Carrboro has indicated a desire to contribute $7,500 to the program to serve their residents and would like to join the program. They have designated a staff liaison from Carrboro who will assist in processing applications from Carrboro residents.
* The Program Plan currently states, "Individuals convicted of violent felonies will not be eligible for the fund" which has led at least one applicant to not meet minimum program criteria.
Attachments:
* Draft Staff Presentation
* Draft Resolution and Staff Recommendations
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The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting.
presenter
PRESENTER: Megan Johnson, Crisis Unit Supervisor
The purpose of this item is for the Council to receive an update on the Criminal Justice Debt Program initiative and to consider the possible expansion of the program to Carrboro Residents through the addition of $7,500 for disbursement to residents of Carrboro. Several current restrictions of the initiative will also be dis...
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