Drafter
Clerk 01/18/2022
Title
A MOTION requesting that the King County prosecutor engage with mayors in south King County, pause referrals to the restorative community pathways program, consider removing certain felony charges from the restorative community pathways program and provide a report.
Body
WHEREAS, the 2021-2022 King County Biennial Budget includes $6.2 million to support the restorative community pathways program, and
WHEREAS, the restorative community pathways program is intended to divert youth from the juvenile legal system into a community-driven support network that leads both the youth and community members who have experienced harm in an accountability and restoration process, and
WHEREAS, during the first three quarters of 2021 according to data from the King County prosecutor, the total number of shots fired was up around forty-eight percent and the number of overall shooting victims was up seventy-six percent over the four-year average for the first three quarters in each year from 2017 through 2020, and
WHEREAS, the mayors of five cities in south King County have expressed concerned that they were not informed of the scope of the program and that the program includes felonies such as bringing a gun or other weapon to school or a physical assault, and
WHEREAS, under RCW 13.40.070, the King County prosecutor has the authority to decide which eligible charges shall be referred to a diversion program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The King County prosecutor is requested to:
A. Pause referrals to the restorative community pathways program in order to allow time for meaningful engagement with the mayors of Auburn, Federal Way, Kent and Renton to discuss their concerns with the program and work together to find a balance between restorative justice and public safety;
B. Consider removing the following felony charges from the restorative community pathways program: harassment; assault in the second degre...
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