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The complicated legacy of ‘broken windows' policing

Michael Jonas

August 11, 2019 |

CommonWealth |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

"Broken windows policing" evolved into destructive, heavy-handed tactics because its original notions of solving minor problems before they contribute to an atmosphere conducive to serious crimes became misused and distorted. Instead of a focus on high numbers of arrests and "zero tolerance" for any and all perceived misbehavior, this theory of policing was meant to be paired with community-building and problem-solving strategies. When that connection wasn't made, it became synonymous with the kinds of racially disparate enforcement alienating neighborhoods from police.

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A police department asked for cat food instead of cash for parking tickets

Andrea Diaz

July 29, 2019 |

CNN |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Muncie, Indiana

In Muncie, Indiana, parking violators can bring cat food to the local shelter in exchange for a parking ticket violation. Though the offer only ran for four days, the local shelter was overwhelmed with donations from parking violators and non-violators alike.

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Outreach Teams Have Police Helping, not Arresting, Homeless People

Daliah Singer

July 26, 2019 |

Bitterroot |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

Embedded in Denver’s police department is the Homeless Outreach Unit, dedicated to building relationships with and providing access to services for the city’s population experiencing housing insecurity. They work closely with social workers and nonprofits in the city to work against the criminalization of homelessness, instead, taking a solutions oriented approach. The unit has helped build trust between those residents and police and has seen a 30% increase in referrals to homeless shelters.

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Queensland police learn Mandarin in bid to target crime concerns

Melanie Vujkovic

July 16, 2019 |

ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia, Brisbane, Queensland

In Brisbane, the Queensland police officers have been adopting practices to strengthen community engagement with the goal of making the city’s residents feel safer. Some initiatives include learning Mandarin to better connect with their Chinese speaking residents and increasing their presence at public shopping centers. Facing a sharp increase in crime, the department is hoping these new efforts can help curtail criminal activity and make their residents feel safer.

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Teens In Transition Program shows promise at reducing crime

Kevin Holmes

June 28, 2019 |

KSHB-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

Collaborative efforts targeting adult-peer mentoring in Kansas City, Missouri have resulted in less crime and increased trust among participants. Focusing on high-risk teens and young adults, the program known as Teens in Transition connects law enforcement with youth members to work together on an art project over a 9-week span.

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Four officers, no weapons, no charges: A Yukon First Nation's solution for keeping the peace

Genesee Keevil

June 23, 2019 |

The Globe and Mail |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Canada, Whitehorse, Yukon

The people of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, in Canada’s Yukon, have improved safety and defused some of the tensions with Royal Canadian Mounted Police by forming their own unarmed community safety officer corps focused on helping rather than law enforcement. The four-officer team patrols the streets and responds to domestic disturbances and other incidents traditionally handled by police. But they also run errands for residents, mediate disputes, and provide a variety of health and social-service functions.

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LGBTQ activist hopes attack, liaison committee can unite community

Laura Smythe

June 12, 2019 |

Philadelphia Gay News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia’s LGBT Police Liaison Committee serves as an intermediary between the city’s LGBTQ community and police force, creating a safe place for LGBTQ people, many of whom are fearful of police, to report crimes. Besides being liaisons, the committee also does community outreach and education to both bring awareness to their services and create a more inclusive city.

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Gun violence has sharply declined in California's Bay Area. What happened?

Lois Beckett Darwin BondGraham Peter Andringa Abene Clayton

June 04, 2019 |

The Guardian |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

California’s Bay Area has seen a 30% decrease in gun homicides, despite increasing economic inequality. The region has had many interventions to reach this decline, but the key to all of them is their community-driven nature. From collaborations between law enforcement and social services, to community mentorship programs, to investing in gun violence as a public health issue, each initiative is founded on neighborhood and individual empowerment instead of policing and incarceration.

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In the Search for Missing Women, Neighbors and Family Members Pair Drones With Indigenous Knowledge

Janice Cantieri

April 18, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, British Columbia

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Drone Search Team is a group of volunteers in British Columbia, Canada that use a combination of indigenous knowledge and drones to search for missing women. Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be murdered than other women in Canada, and although there is some police help, the lack of progress and transparency drove this group to take the matter into their own hands. The group has varying success in finding evidence that is being used in on-going investigations, but along the way they also provide solace and answers to the families still searching.

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'The Journey to Trust Is Long'

Emily Nonko

April 08, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Sheriffs' offices can provide resources and encourage underserved communities and communities struck hard by disinvestment to grow their civic capacity. In Alameda County, California, the county sheriff’s office operates a non-profit organization, the Deputy Sheriff’s Activities League (DSAL). The non-profit champions a model of community engagement known as community capital policing, hosting community events and programs in Ashland and Cherryland.

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