Through a bipartisan vote of 8-1, the Salt Lake County Council moved to accept Mayor Jenny Wilson’s recommendation to put a Public Safety Bond on the ballot this November. The Public Safety Bond is a key part of Salt Lake County’s plan to make homelessness brief, rare, and non-recurring. The bipartisan bond proposal is endorsed by Governor Spencer Cox and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. The public will be asked to invest in the construction of a Justice and Accountability Center and the consolidation of the two county jails into one; including increased capacity, modernized mental health units, and a newly constructed transitional unit to prepare those exiting the jail to reenter the community.
This plan improves public safety and realigns the Salt Lake County Jail and Human Services systems for success. By creating structured and secure environments with resources like job training, mental health and substance use treatment, and connection to housing options, Salt Lake County will reduce repeat offenses and put people on a path toward self-reliance.
“What we’re asking the public to approve is a revolutionary change to break the cycle of criminality and homelessness and put people on the path to self-reliance,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “This bond is a key part of our plan to make homelessness brief, rare, and non-recurring. Perhaps the most exciting part of this plan is an innovative opportunity to provide accountability, support services, and a stable environment with the construction of a new Justice and Accountability Center.”
Specifically, the ballot asks voters to fund:
- Building a Justice and Accountability Center primarily for people who are unstably housed and are repeatedly involved in the criminal justice system because of underlying issues, such as mental health and substance use disorders that have not been addressed. The Center will connect people to outpatient treatment, job training and employment services, permanent housing opportunities, and support services to get their lives back on track with a goal of eliminating criminal behavior.
- Creating efficiencies and improving outcomes at the County Jail by combining the two county jails; increasing the number of beds; expanding access to mental health treatment while in the jail; completing necessary maintenance; and building a reentry unit to help people leaving jail get ready to rejoin society.
“The Salt Lake County jail is the largest mental health provider in the state,” said Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera. “This bond will improve mental health treatment, provide a better path to success for those involved in the criminal justice system, address homelessness, and reduce crime, all while saving taxpayer dollars in the long run.”
“This could be a game-changer in Salt Lake County. It’s a pretty incredible plan to improve our public safety and address some of the hardest issues we face,” said Council Chair Laurie Stringham.
“There is accountability in the Justice and Accountability Center. It isn’t just a name,” said Councilmember Dave Alvord.
“Recidivism for low-level crimes creates a significant burden on our jail system,” said Salt Lake County Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton. “The goal of a Justice Accountability Center is to separate these types of offenders and place them in a facility where they can receive needed services, which we believe will decrease the likelihood of them continuing to commit crimes.”
The bond question will appear on the November 2024 general election ballot.
