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Important lessons for Philadelphia from Chicago's three-year decline in gun violence

The Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial Board

January 10, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Since 2016, Chicago has seen a 37% decrease in homicides with a comprehensive, targeted approach toward violence. The city developed a multi-pronged approach, including a collaboration between foundations and funders, a partnership that analyzed police decision-making, resource allocation toward a new gun-violence-focused prosecution unit, and targeted investment in high-risk individuals. With such success, cities like Philadelphia – also experiencing an increase in homicides – look to Chicago for lessons learned.

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Minneapolis Activists Ask Local Leaders to Invest in Communities, Not Cops

Isabella Garcia

January 09, 2020 |

Yes! Magazine |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, a coalition of organizers and community members called Reclaim the Block advocates for divestment from the city's police force and into more community-based initiatives and services. Advocates for the group argue that rather than solving issues like homelessness, opioid addiction, and mental health crises, policing can actually make the situation worse off. The broad coalition successfully petitioned the city to move funds out of the police force and into the newly created Office of Violence Prevention.

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How Philadelphia Flipped: Second Chances for Youth

Zari Tarazona

January 08, 2020 |

YR Media |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia has made a concerted effort toward reducing the number of youth being arrested in schools. Leadership, including the school police commissioner and district attorney, changed procedures so that youth, instead of getting arrested, are enrolled in diversion programs. While there’s been pushback from some law enforcement, early studies have pointed to a decline in arrests without a decline in safety.

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Baltimore crime crisis: How about trying something that worked before?

Dan Rodricks

January 01, 2020 |

The Baltimore Sun |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

When Baltimore put the necessary resources behind a “call-in” program that intervenes with people likely to commit gun violence, from 2006 to 2012, homicides dropped by 30% and shootings by 40%. The program, which no longer is used in the city consistently enough or with sufficient resources, summons people on probation or parole for gun crimes. A panel of law enforcement, social workers, and community members pairs the threat of federal prosecution and imprisonment with social services to help people build a new life. This approach has been shown in many cities to be effective at reducing violence.

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'Fixing this takes more than arrest': Riverside County forgives warrants, fines to help homeless

Nicole Hayden

December 27, 2019 |

Desert Sun |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Indio, California

In Indio, California, the Community Outreach Resource Program (CORP) partners law enforcement with social supportive services as a way of holistically working with people experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, or drug abuse. The collaboration partners select officers, mental health professionals, transition and homeless shelters, detox centers, affordable housing, caseworkers, amongst other services, to make sure that those enrolling in the program have the highest probability of sustained success.

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When Mental Health Crises Arise, Columbus Police Brings Social Workers Along

Adora Namigadde

December 23, 2019 |

WOSU |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Columbus, Ohio

In Columbus, Ohio, a team of police officers and mental health professionals responds together to police calls in an effort to promote community-oriented policing. The approach has reduced arrests and helped to connect residents with social services and medical help.

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Dallas Has Been Dispatching Social Workers to Some 911 Calls. It's Working.

Lucas Manfield

December 10, 2019 |

Dallas Observer |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

Determined to break a damaging cycle of arrests for people experiencing mental health crises, Dallas has started sending teams of social workers and emergency responders instead of just police officers to these 911 calls. Initial assessments show that individuals are receiving better care and the city is seeing significant fiscal savings.

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Philly wants to bring back a version of an old strategy to fight gun violence. Specifics are pending.

Chris Palmer

December 06, 2019 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Starting in 2013, Philadelphia's focused deterrence program was credited with 35% fewer shootings in its targeted neighborhoods. The program featured "call-ins" where law-enforcement agencies would threaten potentially violent people with prosecution. On the flip side, they could receive services that help them establish a different lifestyle. As the program shifted away from the services "carrots," and was left only with the "stick," the program foundered. In 2019, the city sought to revive it as a "group violence intervention" program with a greater emphasis on services over law enforcement.

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Prosecution Declined

Eleanor Klibanoff

December 05, 2019 |

Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Louisville, Kentucky

The way in which Kentucky’s Louisville Metro Police Department handles rape cases has come into question. The department’s low level of cases being brought to trial is because of the extra step police officers take: checking with prosecutors to see if they’ll take the case to court. If prosecutors won’t, the police don’t make arrests. The policy is justified as victim-centered. But experts say this, combined with other problematic practices by the LMPD, can leave survivors feeling as though they aren’t believed and alone with their trauma.

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Inspiring Tale of a Chicago Neighborhood That Would Not Die

Martha Irvine

November 25, 2019 |

Associated Press |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Community members and local organizations on the South side of Chicago collaborate to reclaim their neighborhoods from crime, violence, and poverty by engaging in community conflict resolution, policing and networks of support. Groups like the Southwest Organizing Project and the Inner-City Muslim Action Network banded together to interrupt gang violence in the city, relying on the experience of former gang members and offenders to guide the organizations' missions for non-violence in their communities.

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