In the News
Salt Lake County leaders are exploring whether the “Miami-Dade model,” a community-based approach that diverts people experiencing mental health crises and homelessness away from the criminal justice system and into treatment, could guide local reforms. Officials met with the architect of the Miami-Dade program as part of developing a strategic roadmap to reduce arrests, jail populations, and chronic homelessness.
Here’s Our Take
Libertas applauds this effort. Shifting from a system that too often treats homelessness and behavioral health as criminal problems to one that prioritizes treatment and de-escalation aligns with our long-standing support for alternatives to incarceration and ending overcriminalization. Models like Miami’s, which have dramatically reduced arrests, jail populations, and homelessness by training officers to respond differently and directing people to proper care, can offer important lessons for Utah policymakers.
Salt Lake County already has forward-looking plans to integrate human services, behavioral health, and justice reform. Partnering with experienced practitioners to refine and implement these strategies can help ensure that responses are humane, effective, and cost-efficient.
Criminalizing homelessness and behavioral health crises does not make communities safer and often makes individuals’ lives worse. The focus should be on real solutions that prevent unnecessary contact with the justice system, reduce recidivism, and expand access to treatment and stability.
Closing
We encourage state and local leaders to build on this promising work, lean into evidence-based alternatives to incarceration, and continue supporting approaches that treat people with dignity while keeping communities safe.
