Matt Dinger – The Oklahoman – The proposed Family Justice Center in Oklahoma City took several steps closer to becoming a reality after a two-day planning session.
More than 100 people representing myriad city, county and community agencies and organizations came together to discuss plans for the project, expected to be up and running in 12 to 18 months.
The center will be a comprehensive facility where victims of domestic violence can access much-needed resources. The concept is comparable to an enclosed shopping mall, said Oklahoma City police Project Director Kim Garrett. It will bring together police detectives, prosecutors, therapists, and numerous other professionals and resources under one roof.
“The reality is people are dying in our community and we’ve got a lot of great agencies that are doing a lot of great things, but our numbers aren’t getting any better,” Garrett said.
“It’s a public safety issue. It’s a public health issue. And it’s an important issue,” Garrett said.
President Casey Gwinn and his team from Alliance for Hope were also in the city to spearhead the session. Gwinn, a former elected San Diego city attorney, worked with the police chiefs in that city to open the first center in October 2002.
100 similar centers in U.S.
There are now 100 similar centers in the U.S. and 10 other countries, with plans for as many more also underway.
“I think these two days we will look back upon as the two most significant days in this whole process. This is moving us to the starting line, not the finish line,” Gwinn said.
“This is the second-largest planning group we’ve ever had. … That’s quite a statement about people’s engagement in all this,” he said.
Since the announcement of the center, three possible partners of land have come forward, Garrett said, with plans to locate the long-term facility in central or downtown Oklahoma City.
Architects were also involved, creating sketches from ideas brainstormed Tuesday and Wednesday, something Gwinn said he’s seen in only three such similar planning sessions.
A new facility will likely take several years to build and open. With lives continuing to be destroyed or lost to domestic violence, opening a temporary facility in the meantime is of utmost importance, Garrett said.
“There was a lot of honesty. There was conflict. Bringing all these agencies together is challenging, but I think a vision has emerged out of these two days,” Gwinn said.
“I think there is strong buy-in from the philanthropic community early on, which I’ve not seen virtually anywhere. Usually, we have the service providers and then we have to go find supporters. I’ve already met 15 people in the last two days that have significant resources, personal wealth resources, that are interested in investing in this project,” he said.
“It’s not going to be simple, it’s not going to be easy, and it’s not going to be fast. But this vision can dramatically reduce homicides in Oklahoma County in the next five years. There’s no doubt about it,” Gwinn said.
“I have to admit, my mission has evolved here these two days, and I thank you for that,” Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty said to participants. “Law enforcement is just one piece of it. Where I saw it as the main piece, I don’t see it as the main piece anymore.
“I wouldn’t want to be chief anyplace else but in this town because we have people with heart,” Citty said.
“I was born on third base. God put me in a family with two parents who gave me everything I needed to succeed. The people that I’ve dealt with in my life as a police officer and as a prosecutor weren’t even given a bat many times,” Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said.
“I will do everything in my power to make our vision of a Family Justice Center in Oklahoma County a reality,” Prater said.
To view original article click here: Family Justice Center to Help Connect Victims, Resources