What About the PUBLIC in Public Safety?

Written by Tim Buckley, December 2024

First the bad news: homicide rates in Salem have jumped in the last decade and are at least double the rates of other comparably-sized Oregon cities.

From the Salem and Keizer police department reports, we learn that “the perpetrators, like the victims, are predominantly young males from underprivileged backgrounds, often reflecting broader social issues such as economic hardship, lack of access to education, and systemic inequality.”

The good news: the Salem Police Department initiated the Community Violence Reduction Initiative campaign that engaged more than 200 citizens and a couple dozen nonprofits in the past year. Framing the effort, Empower Initiative consultant Ben McBride said: “The wrong first question is ‘What do we need to do?’ The right first question is ‘Who do we need to become?

Other good news: CBEL’s Building Community Resilience model begins in the same place. In the five neighborhoods in which CBEL is focused, our staff and Family Councils begin with defining “who and what we want to become.” And safety is among their highest priorities. Incidentally, all five NFCs are located in high-risk areas on our city’s map.

Outlining the bones of Community Violence Intervention campaigns (CVI), McBride began by pointing to two that have been very successful, because they followed through on all parts of the intervention. Incidentally, our current Police Chief Trevor Womack was Deputy Chief of Stockton PD and supervised the CVI there.

• Boston (1996 – 2000). Youth homicides dropped by over 60%

• Stockton (2014 – 19). Gun homicides dropped by 40%

In a report to Salem City Council a month ago, McBride’s report said, “We must prioritize comprehensive strategies that address root causes, empower community leaders, and offer alternatives to violence. It is crucial that the City of Salem dedicates the necessary resources to fully support these interventions. This is not just an investment in reducing violence, but in strengthening the fabric of our entire community.”

But given the reality of Salem’s proposed budget next year, a shortfall of $17.7 million does not bode well for hiring a full-time CVI coordinator that McBride suggested is necessary to coordinate the ongoing campaign.

However, without that position, Salem and Keizer can do a great deal to make sure the initiative is not derailed. We can’t afford to admit defeat simply because one element of the plan is missing at the start.

From the report, you can see how CBEL and other nonprofits (including faith communities) can carry the ball forward. “The key to Stockton ‘s success was the collaboration between police, community organizations, faith leaders, and service providers. This partnership fostered trust, making it possible for high-risk individuals to feel supported rather than solely targeted by law enforcement.”

Here are the Community Violence Interventions (CVI) “tactics” outlined by McBride’s report:

Tactic #1 – Community Engagement: Night walks, Arts and Support for Families

“These initiatives include night walks led by clergy and faith leaders, community art projects, summer picnics, fiestas, and holiday giveaways. Such activities serve multiple purposes: reducing stress within families, fostering connections among community members, and providing positive outlets that can deter individuals, particularly youth, from engaging in violence.”  

• More than a half dozen monthly night walks have been held, in four distinct areas of high risk in the city. Hundreds of citizens have joined church leaders, getting a first hand experience of these high risk areas.

• Neighborhood seasonal and holiday celebrations do exactly what the report says: fostering connections, reducing stress and providing positive outlets for youngsters with excess energy.

Tactic #2 – Street Outreach: Proximate Credible Messengers

“These individuals leverage their relationships with community members to intervene in real-time conflicts, offering alternatives to retaliatory violence. Because of their proximity to high-risk individuals and their firsthand knowledge of the streets, they are trusted figures in the community and can often succeed in mediating situations where police or other authorities may not be effective.”

• In each of CBEL’s five neighborhoods, the Family Council is intimately connected to the families living in some of these high-risk areas. The Fun Fridays and holiday celebrations have already made an impact, in terms of providing alternative activities that are nonviolent, and that build community.

Tactic #3 – Continuous Communication and Community Support

“A core tenet of CVI is consistent communication with high-risk individuals, rooted not in punishment but in love and concern. Communities make it clear that they want these individuals to thrive and stay safe, not just to avoid violence. This messaging is delivered through frequent community engagement, often referred to as "multiple touches," in both group settings and one-on-one conversations.”

• The neighborhood events, especially the summertime Fun Fridays, feature dozens of support organizations, where hundreds of families have received additional resources that make a difference in their life, and the lives of their kids.

Tactic #4 – Jobs, Education and Case Management

“Second-chance job placements, incentivized after-school programs, and comprehensive case management are critical components that give high-risk individuals real alternatives to crime.”

• Again, Family Council activities include after school programs like the Infant-Toddler Play Group, and a variety of free classes that build social and emotional wellness.

KPD Chief Andy Copeland cooking hamburgers at Kennedy NFC’s 2024 Fun Friday

CBEL is certainly not alone in these efforts. As McBride emphasized, this is a collaborative effort. Even so, Chief Womack (Salem PD) and Chief Copeland (Keizer PD) recognize the value that CBEL is bringing, because of its targeted focus on high-risk neighborhoods, because of its empowerment of those impacted to be the decision-makers, and because it is highly collaborative in its methods.

Chief Andy Copeland, Keizer PD: “When me and my officers spend time like this, we build a foundation of trust and mutual respect. That leads directly to the other important thing: organized neighborhoods become a crucial part of reducing violence and preventing crime.” He added that the Neighborhood Family Councils seem to have a more effective strategy for reaching deeply into the culture of each of its neighborhoods. “If there is crime in these areas, the chances are good that the neighbors know families who are impacted directly, and, in many cases, know some of the people involved.”

SPD Chief Trevor Womack

Chief Trevor Womack, Salem PD: “The Salem Police Department needs partners like CBEL and the Neighborhood Family Councils to fulfill our mission.  CBEL works directly in the neighborhoods most affected by violent crime by identifying, training, and supporting grassroots neighborhood leaders to form Neighborhood Family Councils. The Councils are proving to be invaluable partners in promoting neighborhood safety by planning and conducting fun family activities that attract hundreds of children and their families. These activities reclaim the neighborhood streets and parks. The Salem Police Department comes alongside the Neighborhood Family Councils and, as a result, neighborhood residents report feeling protected and safer. This is improving safety and building trust.”