The opening of the Oklahoma City Streetcar was one of many significant milestones reached by the MAPS 3 program in 2018.
C O M M U N I T Y I N I T I A T I V E S
The Chamber engages in strategic community initiatives that can change the trajectory of the entire region. STRENGTHENING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
brings to the position. Tardibono coordinates the work of the council as they implement the six recommendations of the Vera Institute of Justice’s report on the Oklahoma County criminal justice system. Thanks in part to the changes implemented by this group, the Oklahoma County jail population continues to decline, down from 2,600 in 2015 to 1,651 incarcerated individuals in December 2018. The Chamber has also worked to inform its members on the challenges found in the system. In October, the Chamber hosted Board of Advisor members on group tours of the jail, where 200 business leaders were able to see why changes to the system are needed and what types of programs can help reduce recidivism and address mental health and substance abuse disorders in the community. When combined with other outreach efforts held in conjunction with the Oklahoma County CJAC throughout the year, more than 500 people toured the Oklahoma County jail in 2018.
The Chamber has invested in criminal justice reform since 2015, when Clay Bennett, Chamber co-vice chair of strategic planning, led the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Reform task force, a group that took a holistic approach to find ways to help reduce incarceration, increase the efficiencies of the justice system and better serve the community as a whole. In late 2017, criminal justice reform progress continued when an interlocal agreement formed the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC). In 2018, the Oklahoma County CJAC took a significant leap forward with the announcement of the council’s first executive director. Timothy Tardibono was selected because of the criminal justice, legal and government experience that he
G R E A T E R O K L A H O M A C I T Y C H A M B E R
10
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online