Care First

For decades, cities have asked law enforcement officers to handle homelessness, failed schools, and mental illness, and many other issues they are ill-equipped to manage. Because of the organizing, advocacy, and direct services of community partners, it is now clear that a more sensible response is to expand the scope of care-based supports and services available to communities when challenging situations arise. This means more organizers, equity advocates, and violence interventionists than police and probation officers, and greater investments in community-based organizations rather than continuing to expand law enforcement.