City Council Hearing: Public Safety Committee; April 28, 2026

The City Council Public Safety Committee held a hearing on April 28, 2026, to conduct legislative oversight of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (Monzy), focusing on findings from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding gaps in oversight, financial controls, data tracking, and protection of sensitive juvenile information. The OIG presented reports highlighting issues with Monzy's youth diversion pilot program, Sidep, including inadequate documentation, unverified services, data breaches, and approximately $694,000 in payments to organizations and consultants, some involving fraudulent invoices now under criminal investigation. Monzy's leadership acknowledged past shortcomings, detailed organizational and procedural reforms including improved financial oversight, new case management systems, and a redesigned youth diversion approach in partnership with the Department of Juvenile Services. The committee discussed the need for transparency, accountability, and clear verification processes for services rendered before payment. Public testimony emphasized support for Monzy's broader violence prevention efforts despite the challenges. The hearing underscored the importance of effective oversight to ensure public funds are used responsibly and youth programs deliver measurable outcomes.