Some time ago, we hatched an idea for a handful of videos, narrated by Newark residents, that would tell about the city’s strides on public safety. That idea culminated in late June with a 56-page report and a two-day convening that brought together dozens of Newarkers, including the mayor, and policy experts and funders of justice reform and transformation from across the country.
The initial driving force of the project was our belief that no one had told the full story of what was happening in Newark. Here was a city, once plagued by extreme violence, deep-seated poverty, and ailing social systems, that was reversing its outcomes on murders and shootings. And there was something special at the center.
Community.
Grass roots organizations and long-time residents were pushing for change and building solutions that focused on the needs of neighborhoods. These ideas and solutions cut to the root causes of violence.
They also fostered collaboration with the police, but with the insistence that law enforcement cannot be the sole point of contact for public safety.
There is no question that Mayor Ras J. Baraka has cultivated a unique environment to build a public safety ecosystem. But we believe that they have built a model that can be replicated across the nation.
But cities can replicate the model only if they know it exists. That’s why we determined this storytelling project was essential, and why we brought Newark’s community organizations and, ultimately, leaders nationwide together for an amazing convening.
That is how a few social media videos evolved into The Future of Public Safety.
We limited attendance for health and logistical reasons, but we did record all of the externally focused sessions. Please take some time to watch our executive director, Jami Hodge, talk with our partners in producing this report: Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Aqeela Sherrills, chair of the Newark Community Street Team. They talk about why Newark’s public safety ecosystem is essential and how it can guide other cities across the country.
The future of public safety is now. Get involved.
