It is essential to have the "right" people at the table from the very beginning. That is, each representative needs to be in a decision making role within their organization or have direct access to someone with a decision making role. This is especially important for the police and prosecutor whose participation and understanding of the DMI initiative is imperative at the operational level. A well- respected community member and someone from the city management or the Mayor's Office can be extremely important when politics come into play (and they will). Getting the DMI going may require a "translator." That is, someone who can speak the language of DMI for different groups. And, this person does not necessarily need to be from the target area."

It is important that this team member be someone with decision making capabilities within the agency. This person must also be someone who can garner support both up the chain of command, with the officers working the target area, and who can coordinate with the various units through the agency (e.g., narcotics, gang investigations). This person will be an important presence at meetings during the planning and implementation process and must be willing and able to commit the time.

The Prosecutor’s Office plays a key role in the DMI with regards to following through on promises made to call-in offenders with regards to both prosecution and support. This team member must be someone with decision making capabilities within the agency and well as someone who is able to work closely with law enforcement. Additionally, a good relationship with Federal Prosecutors is advantageous. This person will be an important presence at meetings during the planning and implementation process and must be willing and able to commit the time.

This person should be someone who is well known by everyone in the target area- police and prosecutors included. Faith based representatives often fulfill this role as do neighborhood leaders. This person will help garner community support for the DMI and serve as a liaison between law enforcement and the neighborhood residents. This person will be an important presence at meetings during the planning and implementation process and must be willing and able to commit the time.

This person should be someone with the ability to leverage service providers. This person does not necessarily have to be a direct service provider but rather someone who has the knowledge and ability to find services potentially needed by the call-in candidates. Ideally this person is willing to take the time to meet individually with the call-in attendees to assess needs and refer to services as appropriate (or alternatively locate such a direct service provider). This person will be an important presence at meetings during the planning and implementation process and must be willing and able to commit the time.

A good representative will be able to help navigate the unavoidable political waters.

The USAO should be able to partner with local prosecution to help in deciding the best prosecution venue for those ineligible candidates.

These partners will help build trust with law enforcement and know how to reach out to a clientele that may be difficult to reach.

Many candidates may be ex-offenders and probation and parole may provide some additional "levers" to be pulled.

These partners will know how to reach out to a clientele that may be difficult to reach.

Many candidates may be ex-offenders and reentry service providers may be able to offer helpful information and connection to services.

A good research partner will be able to help with data analysis, provide analytical feedback, and evaluate the initiative.

DMI is a strategic, focused, data driven initiative whose sole purpose is to eliminate the open-air drug markets in a target area. This is done market by market, not jurisdiction wide. It is essential to have the "right" people at the table from the very beginning. That is, each representative needs to be in a decision making role within their organization or have direct access to someone with a decision making role. This is especially important for the police and prosecutor whose participation and understanding of the DMI initiative is imperative at the operational level. A well- respected community member and someone from the city management or the Mayor's Office can be extremely important when politics come into play (and they will).