The Puyallup Municipal Court is one of five applicants nationwide that will receive a grant for its community court from the U.S. Department of Justice in partnership with the Center for Court Innovation.
Puyallup will receive up to $200,000 as well as technical assistance from the Center for Court Innovation to implement a community court in its jurisdiction. Community courts respond to lower level crimes by ordering individuals to make restitution to the communities they’ve harmed. This approach not only requires community service, it also facilitates drug and alcohol treatment, mental health services and job training in an effort to address underlying issues that can fuel criminal behavior. Nationally, research has shown that community courts can reduce crime and substance use, relieve incarceration loads and save money while benefiting victims and improving public confidence in law enforcement.
Puyallup’s Community Court project is a coordinated effort of the Puyallup Municipal Court, Judge Andrea L. Beall; the City Attorney’s Office; the public defender; and the Puyallup Police Department.
“Community court is a project that we very much believe in and hope to continue for years to come,” said Puyallup Municpal Court Judge Andrea Beall.
Puyallup Police Chief Scott Engle added that “The Puyallup community court is exactly what is needed for the City of Puyallup and the Puyallup Police Department to maximize the positive effects on our community. The community court helps to develop trust between the participants and the community it serves.”
For more information on the Puyallup Municipal Community Court program, contact Terra Moulton, Assistant City Attorney. For more information about the community court model, go to: www.courtinnovation.org/topic/community-court or email info@courtinnovation.org.
###
CONTACT: Terra Moulton, Assistant City Attorney, City of Puyallup
253-841-5528 or TMoulton@ci.puyallup.wa.us