Emb(race): Judicial reform. From traffic stops and arrests to sentencing and parole decisions, use technology to better analyze real-world data, provide insights and make recommendations that will drive racial equality and reform across criminal justice and public safety.
Brief description of your idea:
While there are many ideas of how to reform police, certain communities already implement alternatives to traditional police force (sometimes in addition to local police). Other communities are considering adopting these ideas as well. Some activists believe that reform simply isn't enough, especially when the police force is used as a tool to enforce white supremacy and protect private property rather than lives.
What makes your idea unique?:
It allows us to look beyond just reform of an antiquated institution and explore options that could potentially be safer and more effective than policing in certain situations. When the word "reform" is used, it is often too vague and doesn't inherently give any idea of specific change. Looking beyond reform allows our group to work without the confines of trying to "fix" a very complex and broken system.
Example: CAHOOTS is a response unit based in Eugene, Oregon "that provides 24/7 coverage to an area with about 250,000 people and responds to emergency situations that don’t require law enforcement intervention, such as those involving people who struggle with homelessness, substance abuse or mental illness."
What would be the impact of your idea if implemented?:
If this idea was implemented, we could understand the logistics and potential of a police free world. While it is a thought that many might find impossible, it is a conversation that this group can have and explore.
Studying the potential outcome and impact of abolishing police could also serve as a model to many communities. Changes/reform to police can be difficult to implement because of local laws and jurisdiction that police forces fall under in different states, cities, and counties, especially considering that there are over 15,000 law enforcement agencies across the nation.
Skills to contribute (e.g. development, architecture, research, design or anything else):
Need to do research on more communities with these programs
Additional data on the differences between traditional police forces vs alternatives (looking at any changes in incarcerations, violence, overall safety)
Survey communities for their thoughts on a future without police, thoughts on current views of police in their cities
Theme: Beyond Police Reform
Brief description of your idea: While there are many ideas of how to reform police, certain communities already implement alternatives to traditional police force (sometimes in addition to local police). Other communities are considering adopting these ideas as well. Some activists believe that reform simply isn't enough, especially when the police force is used as a tool to enforce white supremacy and protect private property rather than lives.
What makes your idea unique?: It allows us to look beyond just reform of an antiquated institution and explore options that could potentially be safer and more effective than policing in certain situations. When the word "reform" is used, it is often too vague and doesn't inherently give any idea of specific change. Looking beyond reform allows our group to work without the confines of trying to "fix" a very complex and broken system.
Example: CAHOOTS is a response unit based in Eugene, Oregon "that provides 24/7 coverage to an area with about 250,000 people and responds to emergency situations that don’t require law enforcement intervention, such as those involving people who struggle with homelessness, substance abuse or mental illness."
What would be the impact of your idea if implemented?: If this idea was implemented, we could understand the logistics and potential of a police free world. While it is a thought that many might find impossible, it is a conversation that this group can have and explore.
Studying the potential outcome and impact of abolishing police could also serve as a model to many communities. Changes/reform to police can be difficult to implement because of local laws and jurisdiction that police forces fall under in different states, cities, and counties, especially considering that there are over 15,000 law enforcement agencies across the nation.
Skills to contribute (e.g. development, architecture, research, design or anything else):
Need to do research on more communities with these programs
Additional data on the differences between traditional police forces vs alternatives (looking at any changes in incarcerations, violence, overall safety)
Survey communities for their thoughts on a future without police, thoughts on current views of police in their cities