Support Us Button Widget

City of Chattanooga, TN creates the Office of Community Resilience

bird-s-eye-view-of-urban-city-4066864 (1)

Chattanooga, TN. | Kelly Lacy, Pexels

Table of Contents

Mornin’, Nooga 👋 — if you’ve been paying attention to the news recently, you know that protesters for racial justice + equity have been marching downtown most nights for the past couple of weeks demanding change. Specifically, the allocated funds for the police department in the 2021 proposed budget are under scrutiny.

This evening, at 6 p.m., the city council will have their first reading of Mayor Berke’s proposed budget. You can request to speak here. There’s also a revenue strike happening today + the mayor announced the Office of Community Resilience yesterday.

The Office of Community Resilience

At 1 p.m. yesterday, Mayor Berke announced the creation of the Office of Community Resilience — a resource within local government that will aim to help communities heal from trauma + minimize their contact with police officers. The new office will take $150,000 from the Office of the Chief of Police.

“It will provide activists, advocates, and allies with a forum to plan for a safer, stronger, more resilient Chattanooga.”Mayor Berke

According to Berke, the OCR will be responsible for the following functions:

Social work, including supporting victims of violent crime.

Recidivism reduction programs, including assistance with felony record expungements and job training.

Support for justice-involved youth, including new mentoring and diversion initiatives.

Neighborhood-based planning, through partnerships with RPA, CDOT, the Office of Economic Development, and other departments that can assist residents with planning processes that result in visions for businesses, public spaces, and other assets that communities need to thrive.

Independent budget analysis and policy recommendations about municipal government expenditures related to public safety and law enforcement, like 911 response mapping and fees and fines for non-violent offenses.

Response

The creation of the OCR is being met with some appreciation but further demands to do more from local activists and protest organizers. 👇

“We the people, the organizers of the peaceful protests, the community activists and community leaders from grassroots organizations in Chattanooga, TN have a lackluster appreciation. We are not satisfied. The demands have not been met. We think that these steps are baby steps in the right direction, but we implore city officials, Mayor Andy Berke, and the city council to continue conversations with the community, the organizers of the protests, and the leaders of the grassroots organizations.” Cameron “C-Grimey” Williams

Activists also asked the city to table the budget hearing scheduled for this evening so they could take a further look into the allocation of funds. Listen to the full statement from Cameron Williams + Marie Mott here.

Poll

More from NOOGAtoday
Brush piling up? Here’s what to know before you light it up this burn season.
Now, Karen Babine is sharing what she learned about identity, belonging, and the past.
Whether you’re after family fun or adult thrills, here are some spooky events still happening this month.
From seating and snacks to preserved history, here’s what to expect at the new home of the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Check out our tips for what to do, where to eat, and places to stay in the Scruffy City.
How the $153M e2i2 project will help keep local waterways clean during heavy rain.
It’s the season of the pumpkins, so we’re rounding up a list of places to go picking. Check out these patches, farms, and nurseries.
See your neighbor’s porch become a stage at this annual festival, offering free live music.
Chattanooga has an incredibly rich history that is showcased in museums throughout the area. From the Hunter Museum of American Art to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, pay a visit to these various spots to learn all there is to know about the Scenic City.
Skip the pumpkin patch and hire these local businesses to come and spruce up your landscaping with a seasonal touch.