criminal justice

Public disorder concerns are real, and residents deserve effective responses. But overcriminalization is at its most counterproductive reaches people not causing harm while leaving the underlying disorder untouched.

Utah's top 25% most-arrested homeless individuals cost Salt Lake City $51 million annually in shelter, police, court, and medical expenses. As lawmakers pour another $45.6 million into the system, organizations like The Other Side Village are already breaking the cycle through sobriety, accountability, and employment, without taxpayer funding. The data makes the case: expanding a broken system isn't the answer.