Rockford’s mayor wants to expand the system his city used to end homelessness among veterans. Larry Morrissey delivered his 11th annual State of the City address Wednesday night. He says it means identifying the city’s toughest challenges, focusing the right people on solutions, and tracking results. Morrissey calls it "collective impact" and would like to tackle the problem of child abuse using the same technique.
If they're already in foster care, let's reach out to them. If their parents are gang members, let's reach to them. As I said, working with our new incoming police chief O'Shea, we don't wait for them to commit the crime. We find out who they are and we go to them. That's a program we hope to have in place this summer.
Morrissey also announced he is forming an advisory committee to take on the city’s worst economic problems, including how to raise property values. He expects to have that panel chosen by the end of the month.
