Letter from Commissioner Cruse
Whew, what a year! As the second year of this pandemic and the third full year of my first term end, I want to point out that we have dealt with more turmoil than any of us ever thought we'd have to endure. So let's be honest about that.
As I write this year-end note, our current focus is on the death of a young man while in the Sedgwick County Juvenile detention facility. The active investigation into the death of this young man is currently ongoing. But, the bottom line, whatever the outcome, I will fight for policy changes at all levels of government to ensure this situation is fully understood so it never happens again. Count on that.
This has me wondering what could have been done to prevent this? Anything? When will we shift our focus to proactive prevention efforts? Is that even possible?
In a constant state of reaction for hundreds of years, aren't we all longing to prevent things from happening in the first place? But, as we know, some things can't be controlled, but much of the death and loss of life this past year was preventable.
As I reflect on the last 365 days, a few things come to mind. COVID-19 deaths, racial unrest, class discrimination, sexism, ageism, and political division could get better if we all took the time to understand the implicit biases within each of us.
In the simplest terms, implicit bias generalizes a situation or person without even knowing that it's happening. Our brains fill in many gaps, and often if we have limited experience with specific conditions or people, the gaps that are filled in don't always tell the whole story. The fact is that we all were born into a world that we didn't choose. But the choices we make to understand another's worldview or place in this life is something we have to do intentionally.
New Year's resolution to be more intentional, anyone? Those things work. Right?
As I mentioned in my post about the National Addiction Conference I attended in November, learning is necessary. My insistent need to learn new things will always be at the forefront of how I operate—learning about local government and politics, myself, my family, and community members—learning how to effectively change systems that weren't necessarily designed for rabble-rousers.
The systems in place are designed to keep the status quo alive and well. Only when the status quo is disrupted, do fundamental changes start to occur.
When I ran for this seat, I made a point to prioritize the behavioral health needs of this community. Both professionally and personally, I've done that. But this work is far from finished.
Behavioral health touches every aspect of our daily lives. Mental healthcare, substance use, and this community's growing homeless population are evidence that we can see with our own eyes.
Prioritizing mental health, substance use treatment, and the unhoused population of people means we prioritize our economy's ability to prosper. People who are mentally and physically healthy have higher productivity rates and show up to work more often. People who have substance use under control commit fewer crimes. Empowering unhoused individuals to find resources means more people capable of filling the ever-growing workforce shortage gap.
The economic costs from drugs and alcohol use alone, both direct and indirect, are upwards of 578 billion dollars a year in the united states and don't get me started on mental health and criminal justice costs. Locally, more than half the Sedgwick County budget is spent on public safety and public health, both of which are intimately connected to behavioral health needs.
The issues we face in this country and in Sedgwick County are intense and are often not easily understood. We aren't meant to understand some things, but we continue to do our best to make the situation better for every person involved.
Last March, something happened that I'll never be able to understand. I mean, as if managing public policy during a global pandemic wasn't enough, my daughters and I decided it was time to transition to a new home. It was a moment that, looking back, I can't believe worked out.
In May, we packed our house of 12 years and moved out of Sherwood Glen in North Wichita. That neighborhood is undoubtedly a hidden gem and hard for us to leave. But whether it was COVID-19or needing a new home for a fresh start, it was time for us to move. We now live in the area where Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita began. Midtown and the inner core of Sedgwick County is home to some of the oldest homes in our community. Our house, built-in 1896, comes with all the charm and projects to boot. Built by wealth and status, this part of our county is now classified by census data as the poorest zip code in the entire state of Kansas. Oh, how times have changed in 130 years. But have they changed all that much? Or has wealth just shifted where it wanted to be?
Almost daily, someone high on something walks past my front porch, down the same sidewalk as families, single moms, and dads with children, walking to the dollar store for groceries because it's the closest place to get food.
Today, a man sleeping on the sidewalk around the corner from my house was shirtless and surrounded by Bud Ice tallboys. He is the same man who lifted a blanket off my porch a couple weeks ago. I took him coffee a few mornings back to see if there was something I could do to help. He mentioned he needed an ID because he wanted to get to work.
Everything I see living in this area, from my front porch, reminds me of the reality of the challenges our community faces. Perhaps my house presented itself because I was supposed to live in an area that fully immerses me in the heart of opportunity for change.
Now I'm sure some are thinking, "what a bleeding heart" or "she's a liberal." If you believe that, I would ask that you pay attention to the amount spent and the results associated with tax dollars out the door to maintain systems that do not create favorable outcomes for everyday people. In no way, shape, or form are things getting better. If anything, it costs more each year to maintain current systems, and things are getting worse.
Status quo achieved!
In my private sector life, the question constantly asked was, "What is the ROI (return on investment)?" Listen, I get it that there are aspects of government that can't be run like a traditional business, but what if there were parts that could?
What if we could shift resources to reduce recidivism rates by designing rehabilitative structures that help people instead of punishing them?
What if we shift resources to create more opportunities for those who need rehab so they get well instead of committing crimes to feed their ever-worsening addiction?
What if we fully funded co-responder models that send police officers to social work training so they can respond to situations that need a mental health professional instead of a badge and gun?
Crime is up; drug use is killing young and old; domestic violence is ripping families apart and creating childhood trauma that, in the long run, will contribute to the already mounting problems.
After the last two years that we all have endured, it's time to make things better - for everyone. It's time to take a good hard look at the money we are already spending each year to maintain systems that don't work.
All in all, we all need to disrupt the status quo. I'm doing it and will continue to do it. So many of you are right there by my side.
Intentionally or unintentionally, this role has been an organic discovery of holding public office as a creative musician raising two daughters by myself with small-town Kansas values. But, with the help of each of you, WE are doing it. We are disrupting the status quo. Because we all know who our current system is designed to protect, and it's undoubtedly not women, minorities, or the majority of the working public.
I am the first to admit I don't have it all figured out. I'll also be the first to admit I don't have all the answers. Still, I've been very intentional in seeking quality information from multiple angles and consistently surrounding myself with the most brilliant people in this community. Together, we have made serious progress, even if it isn't immediately evident.
As I wrap up this end-of-year message, I want people to know that I am open to discussion and finding common ground. I believe in compromise and want to work with anyone willing to put in the effort to see I genuinely want the best for every single person in our community. My daughters are watching like hawks. Setting a good example is of utmost importance to me.
Representing more than 100,000 people for the past three years has been the honor of my life. But, no matter the personal sacrifice, I hope to inspire as many people as possible next year, demonstrating a different kind of politician who leads with courage, compassion, and empathy.
Thank you for supporting and encouraging me this past year. And if you haven't been my biggest fan, that's cool too. I'm growing to understand it's ok if people disagree. We can disagree without being disagreeable, and at the end of it all, we can be kind to each other.
As always, I'm available. Please schedule whatever time you need with me at any time. I'm here to work with and for YOU.
