Community Engagement

The Community Advisory Board, Precinct Advisory Councils, and Neighborhood Task Forces are the principle vehicles for involvement in the Seattle Community Court program. Neighborhood and business groups, social service providers, and state, county, and local public agencies actively partner with Community Court to support the program's success

The Community Advisory Board

The Community Advisory Board, comprised of residents, business owners, community based organizations and public agencies meets quarterly to address the community's best interests. Key elements include program priorities, problem-solving, partner agency guidelines, community service activities, sentencing framework, amount of community service hours to replace jail time, timeline for defendant compliance, and procedures for non-compliance.

Seattle Police Precinct Advisory Councils

Seattle Police Precinct Advisory Councils, serving in a citizen advisory capacity to the West, East, North, South, and Southwest precincts, offer advice on community service projects and areas that need attention.

Neighborhood Task Forces

As stakeholders most impacted by quality of life nuisance crimes, neighborhood groups identify the types of service they would like to see completed and often work side-by-side with Community Court defendants. Our community partners are pleased with the contributions made by our Community Court participants:

• Belltown "The neighborhood is consistently cleaner since the Community Court participants began their community service activities" and "It is great to see these individuals positively and enthusiastically giving back."
• Beacon Alliance of Neighbors "The Community Court people have done so much work clearing the previously impassable staircase leading to the bottom of the hill - we can now walk down the stairs."
• Colman Neighbors Association "It's been great to have Community Court helping us keep our neighborhood clean."