Building Bridges: Brick by Brick
(National Crime Prevention Council, 2006)
Summary:
Sponsored by FASTEN and hosted by Mt. Zion Baptist Church, this event was the result of a request for assistance from Sheriff Greg Hamilton and the Travis County Sheriff’s office. 116 community, business, faith, and university leaders joined with law enforcement to work on the division existing between the races and between the community and law enforcement in Austin. The participants developed recommendations for Austin, ways they believed residents could fight against these divisions. Youth education and mentoring was mentioned repeatedly – groups suggested that police officers visit high schools and Boy Scout/Girl Scout troops, give presentations on crime prevention and safety, and participate in youth mentoring programs. Other popular recommendations included events to promote conversations and dialogue about unresolved issues, outreach from the community to law enforcement officers in informal ways (invitations to community events, church services, etc.), more and stronger programs inside and outside jails and prisons, and media promotions of positive community/law enforcement partnerships.
Why Does FASTEN Recommend This Resource?
This report summarizes the work of over a hundred leaders from the Austin community. Their concerns and challenges echo those of urban areas across the United States, and many of their recommendations for change are innovative and could prove to be effective in many communities that face these same challenges.
RSS
