December 27, 2006
Dear Mayor and Commissioners
Like all of you, I know one of the great things about Douglas County is Downtown Lawrence. Our downtown has not only bucked the fate of so many Kansas downtowns and has survived, but it is prospering. Lawrence has painstakingly worked for many years to preserve the unique characteristics only a vibrant downtown can offer.
A by-product of Downtown’s success is that the City must also find a way to meet and overcome the challenges created by a dynamic downtown economy. The City must meet this challenge and find a way to navigate the complex and controversial issues of regulating businesses and insuring public safety.
Although my input has not been sought, I would like to offer several references for your consideration. The National District Attorneys Association has prepared several publications on Community Prosecution. These publications are focused on directing resources to specific community problems. Many of the problems addressed are very similar to ours. I have attached a copy of each to this mail.
I offer these publications and my office as a resource to you and the Commission should you decide that is appropriate.
Sincerely yours,
Charles E. Branson
District Attorney
c. Ron Olin, Chief of Police
Dave Corliss, City Manager
Enclosures: Changing Nature of Prosecution