The shooting of a woman in Minneapolis, who was fleeing after an ICE agent told her to exit her vehicle, has sparked involvement from activists and citizens. Anti-ICE protests are taking place in several cities.

Anger toward the police has been a long-standing issue. When people feel the police are overstepping boundaries, their anger increases, leading to protests and sometimes violence. Once we address today’s crisis, we should develop new strategies to prevent similar conflicts in the future.

With 40 years of experience as a crime and violence prevention specialist, I have worked with many police officers. I was part of a highly successful Citizens Crime Prevention Committee, where we engaged citizens and formed prevention groups in 27 cities across one county. As a result, Relationships with police and community members improved, and crime rates went down. 

In 2023, the U.S. reported 6.41 million property crimes and 1.22 million violent crimes. In addition, 400,000 teens join gangs every year. I saw that some neighborhoods were neglected by police because residents were convinced by drug dealers, gang leaders, and criminals not to trust law enforcement. Angry citizens can be manipulated by criminals. Police efforts to control crime have become less effective as social isolation and gang violence increase.

Politicians, socialists, and activists serve as outlets for their anger. They direct this frustration at the police and now ICE. During riots, we see the costly damage they cause. We should all ask ourselves, what needs to change? What can cities do to prevent violence? How can responsible citizens support the police and help reduce crime? A democracy is about “we the people,” not just increasing police to control its citizens. We can rebuild trust and community peace, but it requires citizens and the police working together. 

Every city should consider establishing a Citizens Crime Prevention Committee to collaborate with the police and other agencies while remaining independent from the police department. 

In neighborhoods with high crime rates where residents are angry and hostile toward police, responsible community leaders should consider forming a citizens’ Crime Prevention Committee to evaluate crime and recruit and train “Neighborhood Safety Experts” to bring neighbors together.

The designated committee should establish an office, appoint a director and a secretary, and hire and train community members who reflect the community’s demographics and speak the community’s language to engage residents and organize neighbors. Neighborhood Safety Experts (NSE) can serve as liaisons between police and residents, build trust, help neighbors address minor issues such as neighborhood cleanups, loud music, barking dogs, and juvenile issues, report major issues to the police, and act as a resource. 

A Success Story: In a California community plagued by gangs, drugs, and violence, low-income residents felt unsafe and distrusted the police. Ruby, a fellow Neighborhood Safety staff member, and I attended a meeting at an unpainted, seemingly abandoned house. We hesitantly knocked, and twelve community members warmly welcomed us, expressing gratitude for our presence. Our goal was to educate residents about safety, answer questions, and build trust. To our surprise, neighbors brought food to share. The meeting started with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Later, seven residents volunteered to join a safety committee focused on improving neighborhood safety, organizing efforts, sharing information, and preventing youth from joining gangs. We held two additional meetings before the neighbors agreed to invite a police officer. When he arrived, he was escorted by a police vehicle for protection, which alarmed the neighbors. We explained that building trust between neighbors and the police would take time, but once established, the community made progress, and crime prevention activities began to spread. 

When citizens come together to create safer neighborhoods, many positive changes can happen. Collaboration between residents, NSE, and police offers numerous benefits, including:

• Neighborhood Safety Experts (NSE) can unite neighbors to help keep families, especially youth, healthier and safer.
• When neighbors are familiar and trust one another, they care about the kids and work to prevent negative juvenile behavior.
• Trust fosters better relationships among neighbors of different races.
• Crime, violence, and shootings foster fear, distrust, and anger, which frequently result in social isolation and may contribute to mental and physical Health issues.
• Getting involved helps youth feel less isolated, reducing the likelihood of excessive computer use, gang involvement, drug dealing, and violence.
• Neighbors can prevent juvenile bullying, drug abuse, and vandalism early on. Good communication keeps neighbors informed and less vulnerable. 
• Community support for children provides crucial options, making it less likely for youths to later participate in trafficking, drug dealing, gang activity, or violence.
• Isolated seniors can be motivated to engage in activities like babysitting, assisting with homework, or joining a walking group.
• Involved neighbors can create a strong community where residents don’t feel the need to purchase guns, reducing the city’s need to hire additional police.
• When residents know and trust a Neighborhood Safety Expert, they are more likely to share information they wouldn’t tell the police. This can include reporting drug dealers, child abusers, cases of child neglect, illegal guns, or other illegal activities.
• Neighbors can help reduce costs related to juvenile delinquency, graffiti, arson, smash-and-grab juveniles, homelessness, and other issues.
• When NSE builds a network of neighborhood leaders, police can share criminal descriptions with them, enabling leaders to inform all neighbors. This rapid communication helps authorities catch criminals more quickly. 
• Nextdoor.com offers residents a digital space to share neighborhood news, such as crime reports.
• Neighborhood involvement encourages the development of new grassroots leaders who can serve on community boards and city committees.
• When we strengthen families and neighborhoods, we empower citizens to become more independent and self-reliant, thereby reducing dependence on socialism and government control over their lives.
• Support and Education enable citizens to bolster American democracy by encouraging involvement, informed action, and responsibility for Family and neighborhood safety.

Neighborhood Safety Experts (NSE) have proven their effectiveness! Safe Kids Now can assist community leaders in recognizing the value of training centers and their role in reducing violence, managing police-related anger, and fostering peaceful communities. 

Democracy demands that Americans go beyond voting; active participation is essential to strengthen communities, foster trust, and reduce anger and social isolation, factors that can lead to crime and violence. Recognizing the importance of neighborhood engagement can help diminish hostility and violence toward others and law enforcement. Talk to your local city leaders about this project and make a difference. I can be reached at the link below. Together, we can make our cities safer for families, especially children.

Stephanie L. Mann, Author, Crime and Violence Prevention Consultant
Contact: www.safekidsnow.com/contact
www.safekidsnow.com

The post Let’s Get Real about ICE, Police, and Anger! appeared first on Safe Kids Now Network.

Originally Published on https://safekidsnow.com/

Stephanie Mann Author, Crime and Violence Prevention Consultant

Author, Crime and Violence Prevention Consultant – 40 years

Founder/ExecDirector: Safe Kids Now – National Network to strengthen families, neighborhoods, and communities.

Author: 5 Prevention books on home, neighborhood, and city-wide safety.

Stephanie Authored "Alternatives to Fear: Guidelines to Safer Neighborhoods," which helped launch the National "Neighborhood Watch" program.

"Safe Homes Safe Neighborhoods: Stopping Crime Where You Live"
"The Adopt-a-Block Guidebook, "My first steps to a safe neighborhood," and "A Safe Neighborhoods Program Binder for City Leaders"

Latest books, "Empowerment Parenting: How to raise resilient children who become happy, self-reliant adults," empowers parents to help children develop the 3C's: Courage, Character, and a self-protective Conscience so they make good choices for their future. New book soon, "Magical YOU: Empowering Teens to Stay Safe and Healthy in an Unsafe World."

Hosted a national and international TV/Radio program from NY, "The Safe Kids Now Show," on aaumedia.com -

For more information, www.safekidsnow.com.