Elissa Benson

The Santa Cruz County Safety Action Plan outlines a comprehensive approach to improve road safety across unincorporated Santa Cruz County and the cities of Scotts Valley and Watsonville. It leverages crash data, community input, and stakeholder feedback to identify traffic safety improvements. Guided by the Safe Systems Approach and Vision Zero goals, the plan aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by focusing on Safer Speeds, Safer Vehicles, Safer People, Safer Streets, and Post-Collision Care, along with integrated Vision Zero program initiatives. Its purpose is to provide a decision-making framework for identifying, prioritizing, and implementing proven safety countermeasures, enforcement, and educational outreach to foster safer communities.

This Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Santa Cruz County outlines a framework to reduce hazard risks and enhance resilience across the planning area, including participating municipalities and districts. The plan integrates hazard awareness into land use planning and development processes, focusing on vulnerabilities to wildfires, floods, earthquakes, severe weather, coastal hazards, slope failures, droughts, extreme heat, and climate change. It details risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and actionable initiatives to prepare for, withstand, and recover from various natural disasters, aiming to strengthen community safety, sustainability, and economic stability.

The Santa Cruz County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) is a comprehensive document designed to protect the people, infrastructure, and property from natural disasters across Santa Cruz County. It is guided by four strategic goals: enhancing community and life safety, ensuring continuity of services, protecting the natural and built environment, and strengthening lifeline resilience. The plan aims to reduce vulnerability, foster long-term resilience, and integrate climate adaptation strategies through proactive, actionable mitigation measures, leveraging collaborative efforts across participating jurisdictions.

The County of Santa Cruz's Strategic Plan 2032 establishes a foundation for six years of collective action, building on previous progress and integrating new insights and partnerships. Its vision is to create a healthy, safe, and affordable community that is culturally diverse, economically inclusive, and environmentally vibrant. The plan is rooted in the County's Equity Statement and informed by Health in All Policies and Results Count frameworks, focusing on measurable community outcomes. Key focus areas include Housing & Infrastructure, Community Care & Resilience, Health, Wellbeing & Connection, Safety & Justice, Environment, Climate & Sustainability, and Economy & Job Growth.

This strategic plan serves as a roadmap for Santa Cruz County, guiding shared priorities, resource allocation, and decision-making over time. It outlines key focus areas including Housing & Infrastructure, Health, Wellbeing & Connection, Safety & Justice, Environment, Climate & Resilience, and Economy & Job Growth. The plan aims to improve community well-being by addressing critical issues and fostering collaboration among departments, partners, and residents.