The Foundations of a Public Safety Ecosystem
In biology, an ecosystem is a group of organisms that have interconnected relationships. The relationships contribute to the quality of life of the individual organisms and as a whole. In a city, every aspect of the ecosystem works together to create overall safety and a better quality of life. Explore the foundations of a community-centered public safety ecosystem below.
1 Social & Cultural
Collective Community Identity
Newark’s residents demonstrate a fierce connection to their city. While its history is painful, Newarkers again and again identify that history as a galvanizing force inside their many paths for civic engagement.
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Deep Love of Community
When Newark gathers, whether in protest, at a public safety roundtable, or at any of the multitude of cultural events, its people — across generations — sound off on their bond with and commitment to their city.
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Spirit of Innovation
Newarkers have long looked within their community for solutions. This report is filled with stories from grassroots leaders who saw a need and created the vehicle that would address that need.
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Open Channels of Communications
City officials and law enforcement leaders have engaged with community in an open, active, and sustained way to understand and act on the most pressing needs. This is best exemplified by the public safety roundtables operating in multiple wards.
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Engagement of the Full Community
Grassroots leaders have been unflinching in putting the public in public safety. Their call has activated Newarkers across generations and led to a more comprehensive vision for what safety truly means in the community.
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2 Community-Led Strategies
High-Risk Street Intervention
Violence is a public health issue, and it will spread without a containment and prevention strategy. The Newark Community Street Team’s credible messengers are a national model for the impact this work must have.
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Bridge Building: Community and Police
Police cannot deliver public safety on their own. To collaborate with community, they need to reckon with the trauma police brutality and oppression inflict on the community and work to overcome it.
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Healing-Centered Programs/Youth Development
Healing trauma to rebuild lives is essential to breaking the cycle of violence and harm. Newark was one of the first cities to make the healing of trauma a foundation of the way it addresses violence.
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Community-Led Coordinating Body
The diversification of approaches to public safety requires vigorous community leadership and participation. The roundtable format has proven to be an exceptional channel for receiving and acting on the community’s needs.
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3 Political & Institutional
Political Leadership, Vision, and Will
The 1967 uprisings mark a seminal moment in power building within the community and the strength is evident today, especially in the way Mayor Baraka leads while also empowering the community.
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Policy Changes Responsive to Community
Official Newark leadership has validated its community engagement by enacting policies and procedures that address community needs articulated through activism and as a response to the 2016 federal consent decree.
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4 Systems-Led Strategies
Coordinating Body/Budgetary Support
The many elements of an ecosystem require planning and alignment at a high level. Mayor Baraka established that capacity with a historic investment in the city’s first Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery.
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City and State Grant Programs
Community-led public safety initiatives are under-resourced almost universally, despite their positive impact. New Jersey and Newark are leading the way financially in recognizing the power of community-based violence prevention.
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