By Rich Pollack
Among growing concerns about the homeless, especially in the downtown area, Boca Raton City Manager Mark Sohaney has introduced a multi-pronged effort that includes stepped-up enforcement of vagrancy laws and a coordinated approach to connecting those in need with available services.
Unveiled during a July 24 City Council workshop meeting, Sohaney’s proposal includes adding four police officers in the downtown community redevelopment area and hiring a community resource coordinator who will serve as the linchpin in overseeing homeless outreach efforts.
Sohaney also highlighted existing efforts on the law enforcement side of the approach, including continued implementation of a trespass ordinance and transitioning park rangers from the parks department to the Police Department.
Outreach initiatives under the proposal include keeping two community outreach police officers, continuing coordination with nonprofit service providers and county homeless outreach staff, creating a Quality of Life Working Group made up of community leaders, and establishing a quarterly homelessness and quality-of-life dashboard to track and report progress.
“No single policy, ordinance or program will eliminate homelessness,” Sohaney wrote in a memorandum to council members. “However, by combining public space management, outreach, service coordination, accountability and regional collaboration, the city can continue making meaningful progress while preserving the quality of life that residents, businesses and visitors expect.”
Under the proposed plan, Sohaney asked the City Council to approve funding for the additional downtown police officers — two for traffic enforcement and two as designated homeless liaisons — bringing the total number of downtown officers to eight.
The new officers will cost the city $280,000 per officer while the community service coordinator will cost between $110,000 and $145,000.
Following the presentation from Sohaney and Acting Police Chief Seth Dubinsky, council members voiced support for the plan with the consensus to move forward as soon as possible.
“These are sensible ways to address the issue,” Mayor Andy Thomson said. “The Quality of Life Working Group I think is a great idea. The sooner we can get that up and running, the better.”
Thomson and other council members also voiced their support for the community resource coordinator position.
The city manager envisions that staff member to lead the homeless outreach effort citywide and serve as the city’s primary point of coordination.
The coordinator will also play a key role in developing partnerships with the Palm Beach County Homeless Outreach Team and with nonprofits that provide access to transitional housing, shelter placement, case management and behavioral health.
Following the success of community-based programs in both Delray Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Sohaney sees the Quality of Life Working Group as a tool to improve communication and coordination among various segments of the community, while identifying early concerns.
The group of residents, business leaders, law enforcement officers and other city staff will hold ongoing forums focused on key issues.
In his memo, the city manager identified seven outcomes he said would be used to measure the effort’s effectiveness.
“Staff believe success should be measured not only by law enforcement activity but also by meaningful improvements in public space conditions and service outcomes,” he wrote.
The outcomes are:
• Reduction in recurring quality-of-life complaints;
• Increased compliance with city ordinances and trespass warnings;
• Increased acceptance of available services and referrals;
• Reduction in repeat contacts involving the same individuals;
• Improved perceptions of safety and accessibility in parks, downtown areas and other public spaces;
• Enhanced coordination among city departments, service providers, law enforcement agencies and regional partners;
• Measurable progress toward housing placements, treatment engagements or other long-term service outcomes where data is available.
“While homelessness remains a complex regional challenge, Boca Raton can continue taking a proactive, balanced and measurable approach that protects public spaces, supports residents and businesses, connects individuals to services whenever possible and ensures enforcement remains fair, lawful and consistent,” Sohaney wrote.
Comments