“I’d rather be wanted for murder than not wanted at all,” a juvenile murderer said to me when I served as Commissioner of Youth Services in Massachusetts. This frightening statement throws into sharp relief the fundamental need shared by all of us, namely that we must be seen as important in someone’s eyes, claimed, “beloved.” Kids disconnected from […]
Violence Prevention: Going into the Fire
Less than a month ago, this nation again commemorated the tragedy of September 11, 2001. We saw once again the photos of flames consuming the World Trade Towers, citizens running to escape the conflagration and collapse of buildings, people covering their mouths with handkerchiefs to keep from breathing in the ashes. We recall the anguish […]
One Stroke of a Pen Could Mean Less Violence, More Vibrant Communities for California
Assembly Bill (AB) 526 sits on the desk of California’s Governor Jerry Brown. The bill, the first of its kind in the nation, would underscore the core principle that preventing violence and building communities that don’t produce violence requires the active involvement of all key community entities – law enforcement, schools, business, the faith community, […]
This is Police Work? Building Trust in Salinas, Calif., to Reduce Violent Crime
August 15, 2012 By John A. Calhoun and Kelly McMillin Excerpted from a recent report by Officer Rich Lopez, Salinas, Calif.: “Christian had expressed a desire to get a job. We found that an auto body shop on East Alisal Street, a block away from his house, would be willing to accept youth to learn […]
