As I sat down to watch “Reimagining Safety” on Amazon Prime, I expected a typical documentary on police reform. However, what I witnessed transcended mere critique; it offered a profound examination of the historical roots and societal impact of policing in America. Rather than providing a summary of the film, I feel compelled to share… Continue reading Reinvest in Communities
Tag: Law Enforcement
Sub-issue / Audience
The Future of Public Safety is Now
What is safety? For centuries elected officials and lawmakers nationwide have grounded the notion of safety in police, prosecutions, and prisons. But are these truly the foundations of safety? When we explore the idea of safety more deeply, we understand that the traditional meaning — based on the absence of harm, danger, or injury —… Continue reading The Future of Public Safety is Now
A Personal Experience with Trauma to Trust
When someone joins the EJUSA team, the organization works to get them to Trauma to Trust quickly to experience the exploration of trauma and its impact on people and communities. My turn came in the fall of 2021. I hit the road, in central New Jersey, at 6 a.m. to get to the training center in… Continue reading A Personal Experience with Trauma to Trust
A Passion for Serving and Healing
There have been two constants in Donna Roman Hernandez’s life: trauma and a deep desire to help people. Both elements are deeply entwined. Donna served her community for 30 years as a police officer in New Jersey, retiring as a captain having commanded a domestic violence response team and police in-service domestic violence training unit.… Continue reading A Passion for Serving and Healing
Newark: In This Together
In 2014, I was leading police training for Newark, NJ, when Mayor Ras Baraka took office. This was a crucial juncture for Newark Police Department (NPD). A recession plus a surge in retirements had decimated the department. But that wasn’t the only problem. Before my role at the Police Academy, I worked in Internal Affairs… Continue reading Newark: In This Together
Exposing Trauma to Heal
Over 500 police and community members have completed in EJUSA’s Trauma to Trust program. Click here to learn more and participate. Summer sunlight poured through tall windows into the community room of a historic Newark building this past June. Long tables formed something like a horseshoe, with chairs lining the outer perimeter. A large projection… Continue reading Exposing Trauma to Heal
Fall 2019, From Trauma to Trust: Police and Community Collaborative Training
This fall, Equal Justice USA is continuing to lead an effort to facilitate healing and build trust between the community and police with a goal of better responses to trauma in the wake of violence. A team of facilitators will be leading trainings on trauma-informed responses to violence with the Newark Police Department and Newark… Continue reading Fall 2019, From Trauma to Trust: Police and Community Collaborative Training
One man stands in the way of ending the disastrous death penalty
Earlier today, Governor Chris Sununu vetoed a bill that would have ended New Hampshire’s death penalty. He did this despite overwhelming favorable votes in both Republican-controlled chambers of the state’s legislature and after receiving petition signatures from over 50k people across the country who support repeal. Repeal would be a done deal if not for… Continue reading One man stands in the way of ending the disastrous death penalty
EJUSA holds first national convening on trauma and the criminal justice system
EJUSA has taken a big step toward building a national network of people impacted by trauma across the criminal justice system by hosting our first convening in mid-March. Twenty-four leaders came together – traveling from all over the country – for two days of sharing, healing, learning, and planning. They included crime survivors, people who… Continue reading EJUSA holds first national convening on trauma and the criminal justice system
Healing for Vegas | Reimagining Justice This Month
Reimagining Justice This Month highlights stories about effective responses to violence – responses that disrupt cycles of violence, heal trauma, and address structural racism. “Healing for Vegas,” The Marshall Project EJUSA Executive Director Shari Silberstein reminds us that the survivors of the unthinkable violence in Las Vegas will have extensive and varying needs in order to recover… Continue reading Healing for Vegas | Reimagining Justice This Month