Salt Lake City Mayor Mendenhall unveils ambitious plan to tackle homelessness, crime

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall announced a comprehensive plan focused on tackling challenges with crime, homelessness, and substance abuse.

The plan is a response to an invitation from Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and the state's Congressional leadership, according to a statement from the mayor's office on Thursday. It would accomplish its goal through what Mendenhall said would be both immediate actions and long-term systemic reforms.

There are 50 specific initiatives in the Salt Lake City Safety Plan,including an immediate expansion of emergency shelter capacity and enhanced police presence in high-crime areas.

Emergency Shelter and Immediate Actions

Among the most significant immediate actions, city-owned property will be used to create emergency housing, adding about 1,000 shelter beds while the state develops a permanent locations.

Additionally, the Salt Lake City Police Department will launch a new Community Impact Division to increase officer presence downtown while also deploying a specialized Violent Criminal Apprehension Team to target gang activity and disrupt drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl distribution.

Mendenhall let it be known that being unsheltered is not a crime, but public safety matters and homelessness do intersect, which often comes because of mental health challenges, drug addiction, human trafficking and more.

"It is also true that the presence of unsheltered individuals, some of whom face severe mental illness, can make people feel unsafe, and the impacts of unsheltered homelessness can hurt the communities," Mendenhall said.

Current Crime Statistics and Challenges

Crime rates dropped 5% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the plan, but public safety concerns persist regarding visible homelessness and drug activity.

The document states the Salt Lake County Jail faces severe overcrowding, with nearly half of bookings involving individuals experiencing homelessness.

Long-term Solutions and Treatment Expansion

To address systemic issues, the plan recommends expanding mental health and substance abuse treatment options, including increasing the number of Assertive Community Treatment teams from five to nine to serve 400 more clients.

It also calls for developing more deeply affordable and permanent supportive housing options.

Coordination and Implementation

The mayor emphasized that success requires coordination between state, county and city partners.

"To select some recommendations and disregard or only partially implement strategies will not result in the success you expect and all Utahns deserve," the plan states.

Funding and Financial Commitments

While specific cost estimates aren't detailed for all initiatives, the plan calls for significant state funding and dedicated revenue streams for homeless services, mental health treatment, affordable housing, and jail capacity expansion.

The city committed to investing at least $5 million for affordable housing in the upcoming year.

State Leadership Response

Cox, Senate Adams and Schultz responded positively to the proposal, stating they "look forward to collaborating with Mayor Mendenhall ... to take meaningful action, implement the plan and restore public safety and confidence in our capital city."

Timeline and Implementation

Implementation timelines vary, with some initiatives like increased police patrols and temporary shelter development intended to begin immediately. Systemic reforms, like expanding treatment capacity and housing options, would be implemented over the next several years.

DMU Timestamp: February 26, 2025 22:37

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