By Pat Reavy, KSL | Posted – March 26, 2026 at 5:05 p.m.
Salt Lake City is stepping up its fight against violent crime with a new initiative aimed at curbing the behavior of repeat offenders. The Targeted Offender Partnership Strategy (TOPS) was launched recently, designed to address the city's most pressing public safety concerns by proactively targeting those deemed at the highest risk of committing violent crimes.
Collaborative Effort for Public Safety
In a press conference held Thursday, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Police Chief Brian Redd, District Attorney Sim Gill, and Deputy Executive Director of the Utah Department of Corrections Rebecca Brown unveiled the TOPS program. This initiative builds upon last year's Project CONNECT, which focused on individuals involved in misdemeanor offenses who may not be legally competent to stand trial. In contrast, TOPS zeroes in on repeat offenders who are both legally competent and capable of engaging in criminal behavior.
Letters were dispatched to 114 individuals, notifying them of their inclusion on the TOPS list. These letters serve as a stark warning: “based on your documented criminal history with the Salt Lake City Police Department, you have been identified for inclusion in the Targeted Offender Partnership Strategy program.” Offenders are informed that any future criminal conduct will trigger swift legal repercussions, including law enforcement's intensified attention.
A Clear Message from Authorities
“You do not want to be on that list,” stated District Attorney Sim Gill emphatically. He highlighted that the goal of the list is deterrence, intending to discourage individuals from engaging in further illegal activities.
The criteria for inclusion on the list are comprehensive, including individuals currently facing charges, those recently convicted and about to be released from prison, and even those with minimal criminal backgrounds who are frequently present at gang-related incidents. The types of crimes committed by the individuals on the list range from drug offenses and assaults to kidnapping and murder.
According to Chief Redd, the process used to identify these offenders is analytical and objective, aiming for fairness in law enforcement and legal action.
Swift Justice as a Game Changer
Under this new collaboration, offenders from the TOPS list who commit new crimes will be met with an expedited legal process. Instead of the standard expectation of cases dragging through the courts, under the TOPS initiative, an arrest warrant will be issued the same night; offenders will appear in court the following day.
Gill believes this could be a transformative approach. “And that is a game changer,” he remarked, signifying a marked shift in how repeat offenders will be managed. Two prosecutors have been assigned to oversee these 114 individuals, along with an additional 15 to 20 officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department.
A Two-Pronged Approach
While the initiative emphasizes strict legal enforcement, it also aims to rehabilitate offenders. Those on the list can avoid further punishment by agreeing to participate in treatment programs and staying crime-free for three years.
“Bottom line is we're not going to tolerate criminal behavior from these individuals. But we also want to offer them an off-ramp, and if they want to choose that off-ramp, we're there for them,” Chief Redd affirmed.
The letter sent to offenders serves as a reminder that the responsibility for avoiding further criminal activity lies solely with them. It warns of swift apprehension and aggressive prosecution if they commit new crimes.
A Surgical Approach for the Community
In a city grappling with public safety challenges, Mayor Mendenhall has expressed pride in the proactive solution being implemented. She labeled the initiative as a “surgical approach” aimed at addressing the needs of the most dangerous repeat offenders in Salt Lake City.
“I don't think I've ever been more proud of the Salt Lake City Police Department and the strategy that is being deployed,” she said during the announcement.
This bold new program signals Salt Lake City’s commitment to confronting violent crime head-on, offering a dual framework of both deterrence and rehabilitation.
The implications of the TOPS strategy are significant: it opens the door for renewed discussions on public safety practices while also holding individuals accountable for their actions.
For more information about this initiative, follow the full story here.
