For decades, the conversation around public safety has focused on enforcement and punishment. Yet rarely do we discuss how to stop crime before people get hurt. 

After more than 50 years working in corrections, I have seen the limits of our current approach. If the goal is to reduce crime and protect communities – and it should be – the system cannot rely on reaction alone. We must focus not only on punishment, but real crime prevention. A first-of-its-kind survey of law enforcement officers offers new insights on how we can make this pivot. 

The survey found a staggering 92% of officers say their departments are burdened by social issues beyond crime. An equally impressive 80% say having community members trained in mediating conflicts and other forms of violence diversion make their jobs safer and easier and improve community safety. That number rises to 90% among law enforcement who have worked with these programs.

That level of agreement is significant, particularly in a profession that operates in every environment imaginable and faces a wide range of challenges.

Remember, the respondents are not politicians........

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