Dear Friends,
We all deserve to live in communities where we feel safe. And true community safety must not fall short of safety from violence by the state, which includes the police.
But as the excruciating evidence has shown us for many years, particularly this summer, social inequity has systematically, institutionally, and tragically permeated our communities. This has been the case since our country's founding, becoming more visible at various times in our history.
We are now living through one of those times.
And, during this period of deep challenge and crisis, there is also immense clarity. As protesters around the world continue to take to the streets urging “Defund the Police” to address the ongoing threat of violence against Black lives, with a very visible acknowledgment that policing is an institution that compromises the safety of communities of color, we must engage the political will to re-imagine the very essence of community safety. That starts with making significant, meaningful change.
The Opportunity Agenda's new report, Beyond Policing, authored by our Law & Policy Fellow I. India Thusi, Associate Professor of Law at Delaware Law School, reveals that calls to enact what have been considered moderate policing reforms are simply not enough to make the changes that result in true safety. Instead, the analysis shows why calls to defund the police open doors to new, promising solutions that move us beyond policing and punishment.
Beyond Policing shares our research and also includes 10 messaging recommendations. It's intended as a tool for advocates and policymakers to talk about the importance of defunding the police while investing in communities and new solutions. At The Opportunity Agenda, we believe that now is the time for us to use our imaginations to create the world we would like to see. We hope you find our new report helpful.
Read the full report here.
Sincerely,
