By Jacqueline Horton, Senior Community Organizer
EARNING COMMUNITY TRUST AS A FIRST STEP
The relationship between Black and Brown communities and law enforcement has historically been rooted in distrust, systemic racism, and disparities. One Palmdale community member shared a sentiment that we have repeatedly heard from more vulnerable communities: “Police words mean nothing if they’re not backed up by change. Show me what you’re doing differently — don’t just say we need to trust.”
Though LASD made significant improvements to its policies and procedures during the JNA process, data collected revealed stark disparities. In Lancaster, deputies used force against Black people at 4.7 times the rate of White people, and in Palmdale, force was used at 2.9 times the rate. As data clearly showed these inequities in outcomes, the Community Engagement team worked tirelessly in both Palmdale and Lancaster to better understand these relationships.
Through one-on-one meetings, listening sessions, and other community touchpoints, we gained a deeper understanding of how communities in Palmdale and Lancaster perceive safety, justice, and community engagement. Across conversations, a few recurring themes emerged, such as the need for trust and accountability, action over “optics,” and community-led solutions that create both safe and accessible spaces.
Collecting this qualitative data did not come easy – it took time for us to gain the community’s trust. Our initial partnership with LASD left some skeptical, but one thing that remained consistent in feedback received through Community Engagement’s work across both stations – communities wanted to feel safe and needed actionable next steps. While some may feel safe in their immediate surroundings, others struggle with the broader political tensions and a lack of trust in law enforcement. For many, safety goes beyond policing or crime; it includes helping those experiencing mental health emergencies, homelessness, and substance use issues, which are all too often criminalized.
Community members also spoke openly about how to improve engagement strategies at the Palmdale and Lancaster stations. One Lancaster resident reminded us that community engagement can’t be performative, it requires authenticity: “Trust won’t come from coffee chats. It comes from showing up, listening, and doing the work.” Effective community engagement also requires law enforcement to understand different community perspectives and how they shape the public safety decision-making process.
REAL CHANGE IS ROOTED IN COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
Lynde Williams has lived in the Antelope Valley on and off for nearly 30 years, and in that time, has been racially profiled on numerous occasions. She has firsthand experience with the consequences of a lack of police accountability and has long recognized the need for public safety reform. During the Community Engagement team’s collaboration with residents in Lancaster and Palmdale, Lynde consistently showed up as a committed and experienced voice in the conversation. Over time, she built relationships with individual deputies that have proven helpful during tense interactions with other officers. These experiences have only deepened her commitment to systemic change and community-centered public safety redesign.
By attending the new JNA rollout events, Lynde Williams and other community members were able to have meaningful conversations with law enforcement and with each other. For many, it served as a safe space to say the difficult things and to ask the difficult questions.
The JNA rollouts provided valuable insights into the Antelope Valley’s needs. And while the LASD has implemented new policies and practices, the work is far from over. The data provide a roadmap, but it’s the community’s voice that must lead the way. Through continued community engagement, education, and advocacy, we can support communities as they build solutions that meet their real needs.