Brief Federal Investment in Community-Driven Public Safety
Jesse Jannetta, Leah Sakala, Fernando Rejón
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This essay identifies an opportunity to mobilize federal support for building community-driven public safety infrastructure, responding to a central demand of the uprisings against police violence to create safety by strengthening communities rather than punishment. In the past, the federal government has chosen to respond to crime (a legal definition often distinct from harm) by investing in law enforcement, prosecution, and corrections. But the past four decades have shown us that this justice system-focused, top-down approach leaves many critical public safety players out entirely, and creates harmful consequences for justice-involved people and their communities that span generations. Investing federal funds in local collaboratives that include distinct roles for grassroots community organizations, intermediary coordinating organizations, and government agencies can create an infrastructure to support long-term public safety strategies centered around a public health approach for prevention, healing, accountability, and community-specific needs. This essay is part of the Opportunity for All project.

Research Areas Crime, justice, and safety Wealth and financial well-being
Tags Wealth inequality Mobility Inequality and mobility Community public safety investment
Policy Centers Research to Action Lab