Cochise County Health & Social Services, in collaboration with the County Attorney’s office, local courts, and community providers, held its first Justice & Care Collective event on October 8 in Bisbee. The initiative aimed to help residents resolve non-felony warrants while providing access to medical and support services at a single location.
The event was led by Health Director Barbara Lang and involved Justice of the Peace Janus Poppe and Superior Court Judge Richard Karwaczka. They were present to address non-felony warrants and re-book court dates, particularly for unhoused individuals and those with limited access to care. Community organizations set up nearby to offer sober living referrals, mental health and substance use support, preventive medical services, STI/HIV testing, routine health screenings, peer support, Narcan distribution, and resources for people experiencing homelessness.
County Attorney Lori A. Zucco stated: “The success of our first Justice and Care Collective in Bisbee shows what can happen when justice and compassion come together. By helping residents resolve non-felony warrants, access medical care, and connect with community resources, all in one place, we’re not just addressing legal issues, we’re giving people a real opportunity to move forward. I’m deeply grateful to our partners in the Health Department, the Superior and Justice Courts, the Sheriff’s Office, and our community providers who made this possible. This initiative proves that accountability and care can go hand in hand, and I look forward to expanding these efforts throughout Cochise County.”
Health Director Barbara Lang added: “Events like this remind us of what is possible when public health, justice and community organizations come together around a shared purpose; helping people stabilize their lives and move forward.”
During the event, 11 people received court services onsite, six non-felony warrants were quashed, four petitions to seal records and two expungement matters were initiated. No felony warrants surfaced and no arrests were made.
Participating partners included the Cochise County Superior and Justice Courts, Sheriff’s Office, County Attorney’s Office, as well as community organizations such as Community Bridges, NAMI Southeastern Arizona, HOPE Incorporated, Copper Queen Community Hospital, among others.
The Justice & Care Collective was intended as a safe opportunity for residents to address legal and health needs without fear of arrest for non-felony matters. Organizers have announced plans to repeat the event at another county location in the coming months, with further details to be shared through official channels.
In related news, educational performance in Cochise County remains a concern. During the 2022-23 school year, a majority of students struggled with standardized tests. Seventy percent of students in grades 3 through 8 did not pass the mathematics section of the AASA exam (https://www.azed.gov/), while 76% of high schoolers did not pass the mathematics section of the ACT (https://www.azed.gov/). English proficiency also lagged, with 62.4% of grades 3 through 8 students and 65% of high schoolers failing their respective English assessments (https://www.azed.gov/).
Despite these challenges, there has been a slight improvement. In the 2023-24 school year, 27% of high schoolers passed the mathematics section of the ACT (https://www.azed.gov/), and 28.5% of students in grades 3 through 8 passed the mathematics section of the AASA (https://www.azed.gov/).
Plans for future Justice & Care Collective events are underway, aiming to offer ongoing support for legal and health issues in Cochise County.
