Cohort 2024
ICARE
Revealing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Misdemeanor Arrests and Victimization
Duval County, FL
In Jacksonville, Florida, Black people are not only overpoliced but are disproportionately victims of crimes. In 2023, over 51 percent of people arrested for misdemeanors (according to a court record request filed by ICARE) and over 80 percent of murder victims in Jacksonville were Black, which follows nationwide trends in racial disparities in misdemeanor arrests and homicide rates. Rather than policing with an emphasis on prosecuting misdemeanor offenses, such as driving with a suspended license, the Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment (ICARE) in Duval County proposes the development of prearrest diversion programs for adults with misdemeanors and an exploration of Duval County’s current approach to violent crime.
With Catalyst Grant funding, ICARE will explore racial and ethnic disparities in misdemeanor arrests and the effects of violent crime on Black communities in Jacksonville. ICARE will analyze police and court data and meet community members to examine disproportionate policing practices and address approaches to violent crime.
