Transforming Public Safety: Lisa Daugaard on Purpose Dignity Action's Community-Based Approach
Photos by Jordan Somers
On a recent episode of The Day with Trae, guest host Deaunte Damper engaged in a thoughtful conversation with Lisa Daugaard, Co-Executive Director of Purpose Dignity Action (PDA). Formerly known as the Public Defender Association, PDA has evolved from a public defense organization to a trailblazer in community-based public safety strategies.
Daugaard began by explaining the organization's name change from the Public Defender Association to Purpose Dignity Action, marking a significant shift in focus. Founded in 1969 to provide legal defense to Central District activists without representation, PDA became a nonprofit dedicated to public defense for nearly 50 years. However, when King County took over public defense in 2013, Daugaard and her team faced a pivotal decision: to become government employees or remain independent to address structural issues like racial disproportionality within the legal system. Opting for independence, they rebranded to reflect their core values—purpose, dignity, and action—emphasizing a proactive, positive vision for change.
PDA's work is centered on developing community-based public safety strategies, the most prominent being LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion). LEAD provides an alternative to incarceration for individuals committing low-level law violations related to poverty, substance use, and survival in the informal economy. Instead of prosecution, LEAD offers long-term case management and support, allowing participants to address underlying issues such as addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma. "It's about responding in a different way than prosecuting people," Daugaard emphasized.
The conversation also covered Co-LEAD, a program designed to address the needs of individuals living in dire circumstances on the streets, especially highlighted during the pandemic. With shelters de-intensified and community centers closed, the Co-LEAD program utilized COVID relief funding to offer intensive 24/7 case management and support services. "We meet people where they're at but don't leave them there," Daugaard explained, underscoring the program's goal of guiding individuals toward recovery from day one.
Daugaard and Damper discussed the challenges of addressing public safety concerns in Seattle's high-impact areas like downtown, Rainier Beach, Little Saigon, and Aurora. PDA's strategy involves activating these spaces through community-driven approaches rather than punitive measures, such as the proposed return to Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA) orders. “We’ve made this mistake before as a community,” Daugaard noted, arguing for investment in programs that provide real alternatives for those involved in survival economies.
Community involvement is vital to PDA's mission. Daugaard encouraged viewers to support the work of organizations already doing impactful community-based safety work. She invited those interested in learning more or getting involved to visit PDA's website at wearepda.org, where they can sign up for newsletters and find more information on their programs.
To see more guests like Daugaard, tune in with Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.
