Take Back Santa Cruz

Needles in Public Spaces – April May June 2017 – 14,620 needles found in 55 months

To:  Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and the Santa Cruz City Council

Please find the Take Back Santa Cruz Needles Solutions Team Needles in Public Spaces (NIPS) report attached.  This is a log of citizen reports of needles found in public spaces for the last 55 months. The log was created as a reference so that someone can use the data to:

Total NIPS Finds for Reporting Period 53

For reporting period 53 (4/9/2017-5/8/17), 307 needles found in public spaces were logged. This count includes citizen reports, community group reports and reports by City workers.  79 needles were found by citizens and community groups; the other 228 needles were found by City workers.  

Total NIPS Finds for Reporting Period 54

For reporting period 54 (5/9/2017-6/8/17), 208 needles found in public spaces were logged. This count includes citizen reports, community group reports and reports by City workers.  113 needles were found by citizens and community groups; the other 95 needles were found by City workers.  

Total NIPS Finds for Reporting Period 55

For reporting period 55 (6/9/2017-7/8/17), 562 needles found in public spaces were logged. This count includes citizen reports, community group reports and reports by City workers.  93 needles were found by citizens and community groups; the other 469 needles were found by City workers.  

Significant Finds For Reporting Periods 53, 54 &55

 Hot Spot NIPS Locations for Reporting Periods 53, 54 & 55:

12th Needle Stick Injury (6th Child)

We are sad to report that we have confirmed another needle stick injury.  On Memorial Day, several children were swimming at the pond/spring on Spring Street.  One of those children, an 11-year-old girl, stepped on a dirty needle and punctured her foot.

 SSP 2017 Biennial Report:

Thank you to the County for giving notice and opportunity for the public to review the biennial report on the SSP and participate in the open Board meeting.  We applaud County Health for endeavoring to make its syringe program part of a greater effort to get more addicts into recovery.  We agree that more addicts in recovery will mean less discarded needles (among other benefits to the community).

 Grand Jury Report:

For years, TBSC and its Needles Solutions Team have asked the County for greater transparency with regard to its Syringe Services Program.  The Santa Cruz Ground Jury investigated and recently issued its report.  In summary: “A lack of transparency between the SSP and the public has created an atmosphere of distrust.” 

We hope that the County will follow the Grand Jury’s recommendations, including the appointment of community representatives on the SSP’s Advisory Committee. 

The full text of the Grand Jury report can be found here: http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2017_final/SharperSolutions.pdf

 NIPS Finds In The Past Year:

Overview of Last 55 months

 Total Number of Needles Reported Found: 14,620

 Best regards –  Needles Solutions Team

Attachments: NIPS workbook, City Parks & Rec needles logs for April/May/June 2017, Photos

City Workers – Needles Found April 2017 (1)

City Workers – Needles Found May 2017

City workers – Needles Found June 2017

 

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