redesigning
public safety
Decades of organizing by Black community members have sparked a national conversation about reimagining public safety in the United States. This conversation is long overdue. After enduring generations of violence, neglect, and trauma, our communities know best what their needs are and where the solutions lie. Community members are working to redesign public safety systems to center racial equity, public health, and community power rather than prioritizing surveillance and punishment.
A growing body of evidence confirms what Black and Brown communities have always known: Safety and equity are interdependent, and public safety systems must center equity in order to be effective. Through our resources, CPE highlights evidence-informed practices and community innovations that support this vision of public safety.
Featured Post
When Law Enforcement Meets ICE: How a Loss of Local Autonomy Puts Public Safety at Risk
Recent actions from the federal government have blurred the lines between immigration enforcement and local policing, with serious consequences for public safety. In response, the Center for Policing Equity has published a white paper that examines how federal immigration authorities can — and cannot — pressure law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to comply with immigration enforcement efforts. This blog post explores key recommendations that support communities and LEAs in pushing back against attempts to commandeer local resources and help LEAs define their relationship with ICE in ways that protect the rights and dignity of community members.
Data by-the-numbers
Dozens of communities have demonstrated the effectiveness of investing in unarmed alternative response programs that aim to better support the health and well-being of people experiencing mental health and substance use emergencies.
Featured Resources
Substantial and effective change in our collective approach to public safety can only be driven by community voice.
