City of Oxnard’s Post

Two years ago, New Orleans was at a precipice. After a recent 50-year low, were were on pace to become the murder capital of the US. Carjackings were creating terror across all neighborhoods. And other reckless behaviors, like stunt driving, were creating a general environment of lawlessness. For reasons of ethics – it was morally unacceptable to see so many of our young people perish, and reasons of economics – we needed an environment where we could provide good jobs for our citizens, so we created the NOLA Coalition, with a dual platform: 1) Better public safety today 2) Investment in our youth for a better tomorrow The NOLA Coalition quickly grew into the largest, most diverse civic action group in recent New Orleans history. Over 570 non-profits and for-profits, representing tens of thousands of employees, all united by a simple goal – to create a safer, and more prosperous New Orleans for all residents. We rejected the idea that public safety does not matter – it does. We also rejected the idea that you can police your way out of this crisis – you cannot. And, the result is that New Orleans has seen a historic reduction in violence: -> Homicides have declined 48%, with juvenile homicide down over 70% -> Shootings have declined 48% -> Carjackings have declined 68% -> Armed Robberies have declined 56% At the same time, we have raised over $8M for youth services, investing in mentorship, training, recreation, and more. We still have work to do. One murder is too many. One child without hope is too many. We won’t stop until New Orleans is a city where every citizen can grow up with safety and opportunity. A special thank to all of our partners who made this possible: the Mayor, the City Council, the NOPD, Troop NOLA, the District Attorney, the Sheriff, and many other civic and nonprofit organizations. The NOLA Coalition further recognizes the support of Governor Jeff Landry in helping to sustain improved safety. More information, or to join, at NOLAcoalition.info

The Philadelphia Inquirer is baffled by the drop in shootings in our city, because they can't attribute the success to any changes in punitive enforcement. ("The current drop-off has come even as the city continues to face some of the same challenges it did during the height of the violence crisis: Police staffing remains low, as do overall arrests; gun sales have remained high; and the city’s poverty levels remain among the nation’s worst.") Today's article gives neither thought nor mention to the hundreds of community organizations that have stepped up to take action. To the tens of thousands of dollars that have been distributed under anti-violence grant initiatives. To the vast neighborhood movements addressing this violence through mentorship, community-building activities, food distribution, and diversionary programming, just to name a few of the many programs out here. They're happy to run stories about the misallocation of funds when that funding goes wrong, but give no weight the idea that the community could possibly be leading the change when everything goes right. We've spent the last 4 years discussing how we can change a police-driven system; how can we hope our city council will continue putting even that tiny fraction of the Police Department's funds into the community if our biggest newspaper isn't even willing to entertain the possibility that this "inexplicable" change has an explanation - that the people of Philadelphia are making the change, block by block, and person by person, through direct investments not in policing but in community?

New Jim Crow of the North: CFOs, Nuisance, and Neosegregation  - PDF: https://lnkd.in/gvz2ZCnf From 2013 to 2018, police in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, forced landlords to terminate the leases of over 225 tenants for violating the city’s crime-free housing ordinance.1 This is an average of over three evictions per month, and two out of three evicted tenants were never even charged with a crime.2 In one particular case, a tenant was evicted after her fiancé allegedly assaulted a police officer, even though she was not present when the incident occurred and never faced any charges.3 Two weeks after the incident, St. Louis Park police officers mandated that her landlord terminate her lease.4 Following the eviction, the tenant, who has struggled with mental health issues her entire life, was unable to find stable housing and is still struggling with homelessness over five years later.5 Similarly, two St. Louis Park landlords reported being forced to evict their tenants after the police obtained a warrant and found a small amount of marijuana at the property.6 One of the landlords stated, “It’s almost like the ordinance is used to create a sort of gated community without the physical gate.” Police were able to force these people from their homes by means of a Crime-Free Housing Ordinance (CFO), which, along with nuisance ordinances, are used to systematically exclude Black communities and other communities of color from the cities that enforce them. The history of Black people in America is related to property, policing, and exclusion.8 Further, property sits at the after the abolition of chattel slavery and the passing of the Fourteenth Amendment, various mechanisms have evolved to perpetuate the policing, control, and exclusion of Black communities. For example, Black communities have endured generations of systemic exclusion through discriminatory policing, policies, and practices such as redlining, predatory lending, and unequal access to financial and residential opportunities. The concept of “racially exclusionary localism” started with “sundown towns,” which were white cities and towns across America that excluded Black communities through local ordinances and policies, racial covenants, and police violence.

This seems to be a common theme—those who most commonly and vociferously call for others to be held accountable are, in fact, the one who needs to be held accountable for creating, participating in and, or amplifying the cultural problem that is actually the cause of the problem at hand. As with her decision to tie general aid to drug testing, Mayor breed is again pushing a ‘tough love’ narrative that I associate with the worst of neoliberal economics—blaming individuals for the outcomes of obvious systemic failings. It’s still wrong. ““We are going to be very aggressive and assertive in moving encampments which may even include criminal penalties,” “The problem is not going to be solved by building more housing,” Breed added. “Thank goodness for the Supreme Court decision.” Breed said the city has had to move from a compassionate approach to one focused on accountability.” If you’re in a leadership position, consider what role you are playing in creating a system/ culture that leads to negative outcomes before you hold someone who you have power over ‘accountable’ for those negative outcomes. We’re still doing the same thing—trying to discipline and punish our way out of problems that are actually amplified by discipline and punishment—and we’re still ensuring that we never overcome the fundamental flaw of our society in doing so. #grantspass #homelessness

This is not the typical FFM post. Usually, I post on behalf of the organization as the Social Media Coordinator, behind the scenes. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ashley, and I am formerly incarcerated. In addition to Social Media Coordinator, I am also a Certified Peer Support Specialist. I was once a client in the program at FFM. In the last 4 months, I have become more hands on with clients. I've had the opportunity to see the way our clients have been impacted by being justice involved. I've seen how although they've done their time in the system, finding housing is a life long sentence. More recently, I've began seeking housing for my family. My goal for 2024, is to secure more accommodating housing. I've lived in 450 sqft since I was released in 2020 thanks to a family member. I didn't want to burden the organization with my need. Especially considering how many clients are seeking housing through our assistance. Of course, denials came with applications, as well as fees. I was extremely discouraged. One of the biggest things I've learned since joining this team, navigating the same obstacles as our clients not only helps me relate, it reaches me exactly how the system works. At FFM, we fight back. No, is not acceptable. I took the knowledge that this organization has taught me, I appealed their decision, and I got to work. I put together a file that included every certificate I earned in prison, every accomplishment, as many reference letters as I could get, and when I clicked send, I felt accomplished. On Wednesday, I got the email while I was grabbing lunch. My appeal was overturned! I called Kenny to celebrate the news! I feel so accomplished and I owe all the credit to Freedom Fighting Missionaries for teaching me everything I needed to know to fight back! And now, I can better serve our clients. If you haven't already, please support our housing campaign. https://lnkd.in/e3eGRW69 #communitybuilders #secondchanceatlife #becomingabetterme #comingtogether #makingchanges #improveyourself

Happy Tuesday! We're proud to share another recent CHLP success through the newly expanded New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Comprehensive Eviction Defense and Diversion (CEDD) program.   The team at our Bloomfield office assisted an Essex County senior citizen facing eviction after losing her housing subsidy when the city's funding ended. She is wheelchair-bound and has been living in her apartment for 15 years. After losing the subsidy, her rent was raised to market rate, and she could not afford it on her fixed income. Thanks to our team's diligent intervention, we secured additional time to resolve her case. We successfully navigated challenges alongside the DCA related to her apartment's classification as a one-bedroom instead of a two-bedroom, which allows her space for her medical equipment. Through the CEDD program, she could remain in her home, avoiding eviction.   The CEDD program expansion offers resource navigators and more robust legal services to low-income households at risk of housing displacement. This expansion builds on the success of eviction prevention initiatives piloted in previous years. CHLP's team is most effective in providing housing resources and legal representation when clients are referred to us early in the dispute process. Prompt intervention can help prevent severe outcomes, such as eviction.   Every victory at CHLP changes lives and reinforces our mission to advocate for New Jersey's most vulnerable residents. 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞. We invite you to support our work as we make a difference in the community.  https://lnkd.in/eDCCKYKY   #LegalAid #CommunitySupport #HousingRights #CHLP #DisabilityLaw #TenantsRights   Read more about this program here: https://lnkd.in/gyW5DcAu

House Bill 133 in Florida aims to reform professional licensing requirements for barbers and cosmetologists, especially for individuals with criminal convictions. This bill seeks to remove barriers to employment for these individuals by preventing the denial of licensure based on past convictions after a certain period. This move is intended to facilitate their reintegration into society by allowing them to gain sustainable employment. Other states have shown interest in similar legislative efforts, focusing on reducing the impact of criminal records on professional licensing. States like Texas, California, and Illinois have also explored or implemented reforms to support justice-impacted individuals in obtaining professional licenses, helping them to reintegrate into the workforce and reduce recidivism rates. Charlotte Garnes Founder of ReNforce PHONE: (404) 985-0974 EMAIL: charlotte@renforce.org info@renforce.org WEBSITE: www.renforce.org #nonprofit #renforcewithcharlotte #diversity #BreakTheCycle #SkillsForSuccess #GAJusticeSystem #FairnessInJustice #OpportunityForAll #EmpowerThroughEmployment #buildingbridges #secondchances #inclusivehiring #justiceimpacted #workforcedevelopment #renforce #ReentrySupport #Georgia

In an op-ed for The Baltimore Sun, I explore the connection between investments in job training, housing, youth programs, etc. and the nationwide drop in crime: “While this is a significant investment in what might be viewed by some as programs and services unrelated to crime, research shows that investing in community-based organizations and programs that help people meet their needs and plan for brighter futures has a direct and positive impact on crime. Since most interactions with the criminal justice system stem from unmet needs, and since prevention is more effective than enforcement and punishment alone, taking an approach that addresses the ‘social determinants of safety’ is an indispensable way of reducing crime.” https://lnkd.in/dZTpUMnC

NBC 7 San Diego News Update - Residents, business owners unveil 5-point plan to ‘clean up' downtown San Diego A five-point plan to improve public safety and cleanliness in downtown San Diego was proposed Monday by a group of residents and business owners. The plan consists of five major tenets which include: 1. Improving Health and Safety Downtown, which includes completely banning homeless encampments and tents downtown, looking into no loitering laws and increasing a police presence in the neighborhood 2. Rapid Response on Crime, Drugs & Psychiatric Distress, which includes addressing "frequent flyers," or the people who use 911 services the most, funding for the San Diego Police Department's Fentanyl Task Force, expanding the county's Psychiatric Emergency Response Team to have a dedicated unit downtown and providing post-jail support 3. New Solutions for the Behavioral Health Crisis, which includes funding and expanding California's CARE Court program and using conservatorship laws to bring into government welfare those with mental health disorder and/or severe substance use disorder 4. Backing and Enacting New California Laws, including stronger sentences for drug and theft crimes, harsher punishments for "smash-and-grab" crimes and cleaning up state-owned land 5. Enhancing Quality Of Life, which includes cracking down on trash violations, funding street lighting and park improvements and cleaning sidewalks (Excerpt from NBC 7 San Diego news site) #homelessness #sandiegohomeless

UNDERSERVED, a book by Ja'ron Smith and Chris Pilkerton, highlights Abraham Lincoln's words on Reconstruction as "the greatest question ever presented to practical statesmanship." However, Reconstruction ultimately failed because of Lincoln's assassination, and the poor leadership and political shenanigans that followed. That failure precipitated years of horrible treatment for Black Americans for the next 100 years. At a recent event sponsored by Washington Trust Bank and Hello for Good, Chris Pilkerton outlined a comprehensive, long-term approach to address issues in Spokane and other communities. Some local elected officials in attendance showed enthusiasm, and we hope to see action planning in the near future. Chris Patterson, who heads Hello for Good, has been working with many humans on both sides to move such efforts forward. Why the rush? The Grants Pass v. Johnson case, which challenges an ordinance barring public camping, is set to be decided by SCOTUS. The conservative court is expected to rule in favor of Grants Pass, potentially opening the door for similar ordinances in Spokane County and beyond. Hello for Good has been advocating for a regional solution, which would be the most desirable outcome. Otherwise, taxpayers may demand the Grants Pass solution, which would not solve the problem and add additional misery to those needing shelter. Let's work towards a comprehensive, regional solution to address homelessness in our communities. #UNDERSERVED #Homelessness #RegionalSolution #Spokane #HelloForGood