Performance Oversight Testimony for the Department of Parks and Recreation

Background:
The American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia (ACLU-D.C.) believes that empowering our young residents to lead healthy, productive lives will help make our communities safer, stronger, and more resilient. Relying on outdated approaches to public safety—such as over-policing and over-incarceration—is ineffective and does not make our communities safer. Instead, D.C. must prioritize systems and programs that support our communities, provide holistic security, and invest in the incredible potential of our youth in D.C.

Our Position:

ACLU-D.C. offers recommendations for the Council and the Department of Parks and Recreation to continue to invest in facilities, programs, and resources that provide young people with safe spaces to grow and develop. Our communities will flourish when we take a preventive, rather than punitive, approach to youth development and public safety. We believe this holistic approach will make our communities safer, and help the District’s young residents grow into healthy, successful adults.