Victims

Deflection, Crime Reduction, and Policing: What’s Old is New Again! Willow B
In this presentation, deflection will be explored as a form of crime reduction through its
preventative and interventive approaches to addressing the impact of substance use and
related issues in communities. Framed as a form of community advocacy and an extension
of the community policing ethos, deflection creates community-driven solutions with active
engagement from community stakeholders, inclusive of law enforcement. Deflection can

Over the past decade, communities and first responders have successfully worked together to establish sustainable, effective alternatives to arrest for people with substance use disorder through the implementation of deflection initiatives. In tandem, the law enforcement community has also acknowledged the high importance of incorporating racial equity practices in order to better serve communities experiencing the highest rates of overdose and drug-related arrests.

The 2023 Police, Treatment, and Community (PTACC) Deflection and Pre-Arrest Diversion Training Summit was held in Seattle, Washington on October 28-November 1, 2024. Over 400 people attended the summit, including COSSUP grantees. Attendees and presenters included law enforcement officers and other first responders, behavioral health practitioners, community-based service providers, deflection program managers, researchers, and officials from the local, state, and national levels.

NCORJ hosted an information session for the subaward solicitation to support the development of new restorative justice programs or the expansion of existing restorative justice programs. The goal of the program implementation subaward is to increase access to restorative justice opportunities and services across different points of the criminal legal system continuum.

NCORJ hosted a webinar about restorative justice legislation and the key components for establishing legal frameworks that support the implementation, expansion, and sustainability of restorative justice in the criminal legal context.

NCORJ is hosting a webinar focusing on how restorative justice approaches are adapted and implemented to meet participants’ needs related to neurodiversity and mental health. By integrating principles of trauma-informed care and recognizing the diversity of human experiences and abilities, restorative justice can offer a more holistic and compassionate approach to addressing harm, promoting accountability, and supporting the mental health and well-being of individuals within communities.

NCORJ is hosting a webinar series that highlights restorative justice work in different geographic regions across the United States. Attendees are invited to listen and learn about different implementation models from restorative justice practitioners, researchers, community-based organizations, and system actors.

12/10 - presentation to the Yavapai County CJCC to introduce the project and encourage them to consider participating. (15 people, representing 15 agencies).

12/3 - Recruitment meeting with Chief Stallman and Captain Chambers of Altoona Police Department which resulted in the department opting in. (2 people, representing 1 agency).

12/3 - Recruitment meeting with Chief Chris Scott of West Des Moines Police Department which resulting in the department opting in. (1 person, representing 1 agency).