Building Our Way Out of Crime:Community Development and its Role in Crime Reduction

October 21, 2005

16th Annual Problem-Oriented Policing Conference

Charlotte, North Carolina

Agenda

Exploring the link between public safety and community development Evidence of success from community-police alliances Community developers: who they are, how they work Terms of engagement Closer look at a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department experience Questions

Link between public safety and community development

Crime

Public Safety

↔Blight & otherCommunityDecline

↔Revitalization & other Community Development

“[R]esearch underscores the importance of activities that fall under the broad umbrella of ‘community building.’ …. [T]he message for social policy is clear: Building strong communities ‘from the ground up’… will contribute to the reduction in violence and fear, and will create a sense of safety.”

- Jeremy Travis (2004)Source: “Building from the Ground Up: Strategies for Creating Safe and Just Communities,” in Journal of Social Thought: “Religion & Spirituality in Social Work” (2004)

Link between public safety and community development

Limits of many efforts to eradicate crime hot spots

Board up bad building without replacing it

Creating productive institutional alliances

CommunityDevelopers

Police Department

Technical Assistance

Providers (LISC)

Full-time paidCoordinator

Elimination of persistent hot spots

Significant drops in crime

Brick-and-mortar development, including high quality affordable housing and attractive retail space

New businesses and jobs

Greater resident engagement, “eyes on the street,” social capital, and collective efficacy

What have been the outcomes of communitydeveloper-police alliances?

Replacing nuisance properties: Revitalization of Payne Avenue in St. Paul

Notorious strip club redeveloped into a restaurant and community meeting space

Gang activity targeted by LAPD, Neighborhood Prosecutor and a CDC

Resulted in the removal of 150,000 square feet of graffiti and a 50% drop in new graffiti tags

LAPD recognized the program as a major contributor to a 16% drop in gang crime

Crime reduction: Graffiti Free Zone in South Los Angeles

Crime reduction: Revitalization of Payne Avenue in St. Paul

Police anti-crime efforts combined with CDC development contributed to a 26% drop in Part 1 crime reports and a 25% drop in Quality of Life Calls for Service (QLC) on Payne Ave.

Changes in the target area were much better than those in comparable neighborhoods

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Payne Ave Rice Street Concord/Robert Snelling Ave

1998 Pt 1

2001 Pt 1

1998 QLC

2001 QLC

TARGET AREA COMPARISON AREAS

-26%

-25%

-2%

+10%

-23%

-8%

+11%

+24%

CDC cleans up an area that is hazardous to residents due to illegal dumping and stray animals to clear the way for development of a major retail center

Real Estate Development: Transformation of Blue Parkway in Kansas City, MO

Kansas City’s Blue Parkway (continued)

Police help secure tenants for a 160,000 square foot commercial center on the site

Center includes a police substation and workout facility

American Indian Neighborhood Development Corp. develops a commercial plaza, including a police substation, in a spot where open air drug sales previously deterred merchants

Real Estate Development: Community Safety Center in Minneapolis

New business development: Redevelopment of Columbia Plaza in Seattle

Commercial area transformed from a violent crime hotspot to a thriving multi-cultural business center

Part I crime declined 18% in the target area compared to 8% citywide

CDC purchases and renovates properties in a blighted, crime ridden commercial intersection

New businesses open with help from CDC loan funds

Before After

New Business Development: Uphams Corner Revitalization in Dorchester, MA

Job Creation & Violent Crime Reduction: “Blackberry Jungle” to Pacific Rim Plaza in Seattle

Dangerous transient camp…

Next to Blackberry Jungle “Blackberry Jungle”

Job Creation & Violent Crime Reduction: “Blackberry Jungle” to Pacific Rim Plaza in Seattle

… replaced by a multi-million dollar commercial and residential property that created 100 new jobs

New development in place of “Blackberry Jungle”

Job Creation: Swope Parkway Redevelopment in Kansas City, MO

H&R Block Service & Technology Center developed, with help of police captain, on a site formerly known for illegal dumping and criminal activity

Created 300 jobs and brought a $14.2 million payroll to an underserved minority community

What is a community development corporation?

Non-profit corporation governed by local residents

Mission: To revitalize a specific neighborhood or geographic area (usually low-income)

Comprehensive agenda includes:

- Residential and commercial real estate development

- Social services, such as job training and placement or youth programs

- Community organizing

What are community development intermediaries?

Major national intermediaries:

Purpose: To help local community developers transform troubled neighborhoods by mobilizing corporate, government and philanthropic support for neighborhood revitalization

What is the role for national intermediaries?

Make loans, grants and equity investments to advance community development goals

Promote supportive policies at the local, state and national level

Provide technical and management assistance to CDCs

In 2004, LISC activities included…

$110 million in loans for CDC projects$584 million in equity invested$30 million in grants to CDCs

What are CDC assets and what do they mean for you?

Access to capital markets

Bricks and mortar development

Property management

Job creation and job training/placement

Social services or partnerships with service providers

Youth programs

Advocacy and political action

Community and merchant organizing

Terms of engagement

Collaboration in planning and problem-solving

Information sharing

Power sharing

Resource sharing

Non-traditional roles

The Grier HeightsThe Grier HeightsNeighborhood Neighborhood Action TeamAction Team

FULL TIME TEAM APPROACH FULL TIME TEAM APPROACH IMPLEMENTED IN LATE 1999.IMPLEMENTED IN LATE 1999.

PILOT PROGRAMS OPERATEDPILOT PROGRAMS OPERATED

THROUGHOUT 2000.THROUGHOUT 2000.

““Enter into interactive Enter into interactive collaborative partnerships…”collaborative partnerships…”

Action Teams consist of:Action Teams consist of:

•SPONSORSPONSOR

•FACILITATORFACILITATOR

•COMMUNITY RESIDENTS COMMUNITY RESIDENTS

•COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER(S)COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER(S)

•COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT INSPECTORINSPECTOR

•HOUSING INSPECTORHOUSING INSPECTOR

•NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES SPECIALISTSPECIALIST

TEAM MEMBERS ATTENDED 32 HOURS OF LEADERSHIP AND TEAM BUILDING TRAINING AT PFEIFFER UNIVERSITY IN DECEMBER 1999. MISSION STATEMENT AND VISION STATEMENT WERE WRITTEN.

CITY EMPLOYEES MOVED TO OFFICE SPACE AT THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT’S BAKER SERVICE CENTER. ALL CITY EMPLOYEES WORK FROM SAME BUILDING, INCREASING OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT AND COMMUNICATE.

“Interactive collaborative partnerships…”

““IDENTIFY COMMUNITY PROBLEMS…”IDENTIFY COMMUNITY PROBLEMS…”

““Identify community Identify community problems…”problems…”• OPEN COMMUNITY MEETING FOR

“VISIONING” SESSION. THE RESIDENTS SAIDWHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.

• TEAM MEMBERS SPOKE AT MONTHLY COMMUNITY MEETINGS.

• TEAM MEMBERS MET WITH PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT

ORGANIZATION.

• TEAM MEMBERS MET WITH NEIGHBORHOOD LANDLORDS.

““Establish priorities…”Establish priorities…”• MUST CARRY OVER UNFINISHED

ITEMS FROM PREVIOUS PLAN.

• TOOK COMMUNITY SUGGESTIONS FROM “VISIONING” SESSION AND ADDED TEAM MEMBER SUGGESTED ITEMS.

• ITEMS WERE CATEGORIZED AND PRIORITIZED.

• EVALUATED ITEMS: SOME WERE ADDED, OTHERS DELETED DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS, PRACTICALITY, ETC.

•CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETYCRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY•THE HOUSING STOCKTHE HOUSING STOCK•COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTCOMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT•EDUCATION AND TRAININGEDUCATION AND TRAINING•STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITYSTRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATION•YOUTH AND CHILD PROGRAMSYOUTH AND CHILD PROGRAMS•ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT•INFRASTRUCTUREINFRASTRUCTURE•TRANSPORTATIONTRANSPORTATION

““Integrated approach to the Integrated approach to the delivery of needed services…”delivery of needed services…”

ACTION PLAN AREAS OF FOCUS:ACTION PLAN AREAS OF FOCUS:

CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETYCRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY

TOTAL OFFENSES

1996: 1040

1997: 890

1998: 847

1999: 829

20% Decrease in overall crime rate over four years

CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETYCRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY

• REDUCE DRUG ACTIVITY

• REDUCE THE OVERALL CRIME RATE

• REDUCE REPEAT CALLS FOR SERVICE

• ELIMINATE INADEQUATE LIGHTING AND REDUCE FEAR OF CRIME

““Develop innovative responses Develop innovative responses to problems…”to problems…”

IMPROVE THE HOUSING STOCKIMPROVE THE HOUSING STOCK

IMPROVE THE HOUSING STOCKIMPROVE THE HOUSING STOCK

IMPROVE THE HOUSING STOCKIMPROVE THE HOUSING STOCK

DEBRIS FILLED VACANT LOTSDEBRIS FILLED VACANT LOTS

ABANDONED SHOPPING CARTSABANDONED SHOPPING CARTS

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTCOMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT

• CONCERNS ABOUT BULK ITEMS AND CITY CODE VIOLATIONS

• TRASH AND LITTER ON VACANT LOTS

• ABANDONED SHOPPING CARTS

““Develop innovative responsesDevelop innovative responses

to problems…”to problems…”

EDUCATION AND TRAININGEDUCATION AND TRAINING

• ORGANIZE AND TRAIN BLOCK CAPTAINS

• COMPUTER TRAINING

• WORK TO ESTABLISH A TRAINING AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY

• JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT

• REACH OUT TO GROWING ETHNIC POPULATION

• FIRST AID TRAINING

• HOUSE KEEPING, MAINTENANCE, AND BASIC HOME REPAIR

““Develop innovative responses Develop innovative responses

to problems…”to problems…”

STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATION

STRENGTHENING THE STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONCOMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

• IMPROVE INFORMATON DISTRIBUTION

• RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATION

• ESTABLISH A RECREATION COMMITTEE

• COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND SELF-ESTEEM TRAINING

““Develop innovative responsesDevelop innovative responses

to problems…”to problems…”

YOUTH PROGRAMSYOUTH PROGRAMS

YOUTH AND CHILD YOUTH AND CHILD PROGRAMSPROGRAMS• COORDINATE YOUTH PROGRAMS

• CHILD DAY CARE AND HEALTH CARE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TRANSPORTATIONTRANSPORTATION

• DEVELOPMENT OF VACANT LOTS

• RESEARCH OPTION OF DINING TRAIN

• E-Z RIDER PROGRAM

““Develop innovative responses Develop innovative responses

to problems…”to problems…”

THE COOPERATION BETWEEN VARIOUS CITY, COUNTY, AND PRIVATE DEPARTMENTS AND

ORGANIZATIONS WILL ALLOW THE GRIER HEIGHTS ACTION TEAM TO TAKE A CREATIVE APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING THAT WILL

ENSURE SUCCESS.

GRIER HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION TEAMGRIER HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION TEAM

MISSION STATEMENTMISSION STATEMENT

THE GRIER HEIGHTS ACTION TEAM IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVE THE THE GRIER HEIGHTS ACTION TEAM IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND BRING STABILITY TO THE COMMUNITY QUALITY OF LIFE AND BRING STABILITY TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH:THROUGH:

BUILDING PROBLEM-SOLVING PARTNERSHIPSBUILDING PROBLEM-SOLVING PARTNERSHIPS

PROVIDING TRAINING AND EDUCATIONPROVIDING TRAINING AND EDUCATION

IMPROVED DELIVERY OF CITY SERVICESIMPROVED DELIVERY OF CITY SERVICES

FACILITATING ACCESS TO RESOURCESFACILITATING ACCESS TO RESOURCES

CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENTCREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTUREIMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE

RESULTING IN A SELF-SUFFICIENT, HEALTHY COMMUNITY.RESULTING IN A SELF-SUFFICIENT, HEALTHY COMMUNITY.

WE VALUE: OUR YOUTH, OUR PARTNERS, ACCOUNTABILITY, WE VALUE: OUR YOUTH, OUR PARTNERS, ACCOUNTABILITY, INTEGRITY, RESIDENTS OF GRIER HEIGHTS, CUSTOMER SERVICE, INTEGRITY, RESIDENTS OF GRIER HEIGHTS, CUSTOMER SERVICE, RESPECT, OPEN COMMUNICATIONS, TEAM MEMBERS, AND POSITIVE RESPECT, OPEN COMMUNICATIONS, TEAM MEMBERS, AND POSITIVE CHANGE.CHANGE.

QUESTIONS???

“Police-CDC partnerships are not simply another version of the police-resident partnerships that have become popular in community policing. They are a specific type of relationship that commands the distinct resources of an important institution… It seems especially important to recognize the breadth of strategies that police and CDCs can pursue together."

- David Thacher, Program in Criminal Justice Policy and Management, Harvard University

Source: “The Community Safety Initiative: Lessons Learned.” Harvard University Working Paper #00-05-17

Building Partnerships for Safer Communities

Lisa Belsky, Senior Program Director, LISClbelsky@lisc.org

Bill Geller, Director, Geller & AssociatesSenior Public Safety Consultant to CSIwageller@aol.com

Brian Cunningham, SergeantCharlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept.bcunningham@cmpd.org

US Department of Justice Community Capacity Development Office

The Problem Analysis Triangle