Community Safety Beyond Policing

Introduction

This resource offers concrete strategies for creating community safety without relying on policing, incarceration, and other forms of state violence. It’s designed to help communities develop approaches that address harm while building stronger relationships, addressing root causes, and fostering collective care.

True safety emerges not from surveillance and punishment but from having our basic needs met, strong community connections, skills to address conflict, and collective practices for preventing and responding to harm. This guide explores both immediate interventions and long-term strategies for building genuinely safe communities.

Understanding Safety and Harm

Redefining Safety

Beyond the Absence of Crime True safety includes:

• Having basic needs consistently met
• Being able to live without fear of violence or displacement
• Having agency and voice in decisions affecting your life
• Access to supportive community and cultural connections
• Environmental health and sustainability
• Freedom from exploitation and oppression
• Ability to develop and express one’s full humanity

Safety is Collective, Not Individual

• Individual security measures often increase collective insecurity
• Genuine safety requires addressing systemic causes of harm
• Safety for some at the expense of others isn’t true safety
• The strongest protection comes through mutual care and solidarity

Understanding Policing and Its Limitations

Historical Context

• Police forces in the U.S. evolved from slave patrols and strike breakers
• Policing primarily protects property and maintains social order
• Most police resources go toward minor offenses, not violent crime
• Many communities, especially Black, Indigenous, and poor communities, experience police as a source of harm rather than safety

Practical Limitations

• Police rarely prevent crime, they respond after harm occurs
• Most harm and violence go unreported to police
• Police are not equipped to address root causes of harm
• Many common calls to police (mental health crises, homelessness, substance use) involve needs police cannot meet
• Resources allocated to policing could address root causes of harm

Sources of Harm in Communities

Interpersonal Harm

• Violence and abuse within relationships and families
• Conflicts that escalate without intervention
• Individual actions causing community harm
• Predatory behavior targeting vulnerable community members

Structural Harm

• Economic precarity and poverty
• Housing instability and displacement
• Lack of mental health and substance use resources
• Environmental hazards and pollution
• Systemic racism and other forms of oppression
• Corporate exploitation and extraction

State Violence

• Police harassment, brutality, and killings
• Immigration enforcement and deportation
• Surveillance and criminalization
• Incarceration and its collateral consequences
• Child welfare system separating families

Immediate Response Strategies

Emergency Response Alternatives

Crisis Response Teams

• Trained responders for mental health emergencies
• De-escalation specialists for interpersonal conflicts
• Medical response for overdoses and health crises
• Harm reduction outreach for substance-related issues
• Trained community members who can respond to immediate needs

Examples: CAHOOTS (Eugene, OR), Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets; M.H. First (Sacramento, CA); Detroit Harm Reduction Coalition

Community Rapid Response Networks

• Neighbor-to-neighbor emergency communication systems
• Trained community members who can respond to disturbances
• Phone trees or text alert systems for coordinating response
• Clear protocols for different types of situations

Examples: Bay Area Transformative Justice Collective’s pod mapping; Strong Oak Lefebvre’s Community Safety Pledges

Documentation and Witnessing

• Copwatch and other police monitoring programs
• Recording interactions with law enforcement
• Community members serving as witnesses during police encounters
• Know-your-rights trainings and legal observer programs

Examples: Berkeley Copwatch; People’s Justice Project

Addressing Active Harm

De-escalation Strategies

• Teams trained in non-violent communication and de-escalation
• Cooling-off spaces and processes
• Bystander intervention training for community members
• Recognition of escalation patterns and intervention points

Examples: Creative Interventions resources; Hollaback! bystander intervention training

Violence Interruption

• Credible messengers from the community intervening in potential violence
• Identifying and addressing conflicts before they escalate
• Supporting individuals at risk of engaging in harmful behavior
• Connecting people to resources and support

Examples: Cure Violence model; Newark Community Street Team

Safety Planning

• Supporting those experiencing domestic violence or other threats
• Developing personalized safety strategies
• Creating community responsibility for supporting safety
• Identifying patterns and warning signs

Examples: Creative Interventions Toolkit; Stop Violence Every Day resources

Prevention and Root Cause Strategies

Meeting Basic Needs

Housing Security

• Preventing evictions through direct action and legal support
• Community land trusts to maintain affordable housing
• Housing cooperatives and shared housing models
• Encampment support and advocacy
• Taking over vacant housing for community needs

Examples: Moms 4 Housing; Cooperation Jackson’s Community Land Trust

Food Security

• Community gardens and urban farms
• Food distribution networks and community fridges
• Meal sharing programs and community kitchens
• Skill-sharing around food growing and preparation

Examples: Mandela Grocery Cooperative; Liberation Farms Somali Bantu Community Association

Economic Support

• Mutual aid networks for sharing resources
• Worker cooperatives providing living wage jobs
• Time banks and skill exchanges
• Community-controlled financial institutions
• Basic income projects

Examples: Cooperation Jackson; Mondragon Corporation

Access to Care

• Community-based health clinics
• Mental health support networks
• Substance use harm reduction
• Disability justice resources
• Reproductive health access

Examples: Peoples Oakland; Chicago Abortion Fund; VOCAL-NY

Building Strong Community Connections

Community Gathering Spaces

• Creating accessible physical spaces for connection
• Regular community meals and celebrations
• Cultural events strengthening identity and belonging
• Youth programs and intergenerational connections
• Cooperative childcare and eldercare

Examples: Detroit’s Boggs Center to Nurture Community Leadership; Project South’s Septima Clark Community Power Institute

Network Building

• Block clubs and neighborhood associations
• Faith community networks
• Cultural affinity groups
• Parent and elder support networks
• Mutual interest groups (gardening, art, sports, etc.)

Examples: Highlander Research and Education Center; SpiritHouse NC

Communication Infrastructure

• Community forums and assemblies
• Neighborhood communication systems
• Local media (newspapers, radio stations, online platforms)
• Knowledge and skill-sharing networks
• Intergenerational wisdom transmission

Examples: Radio Bilingüe; Make the Road NY membership meetings

Conflict Transformation

Preventative Practices

• Community agreements and shared values
• Regular community circles for connection and processing
• Skill-building in communication and emotional intelligence
• Recognition of early warning signs for conflict
• Cultural practices that build harmony and connection

Examples: Hollow Water Community Holistic Circle Healing; Philly Stands Up!

Mediation and Resolution Processes

• Community mediation programs
• Healing circles and peacemaking processes
• Facilitated dialogue for addressing tensions
• Restorative processes for working through conflict
• Integration of cultural conflict resolution practices

Examples: Red Hook Peacemaking Program; Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth

Skills Development

• Training in nonviolent communication
• Emotional regulation and de-escalation skills
• Cross-cultural communication competence
• Conflict coaching
• Trauma awareness and healing practices

Examples: Ahimsa Collective trainings; Insight Prison Project

Addressing Harmful Behavior

Accountability Processes

• Community-based responses to harm
• Support for those who have caused harm to take responsibility
• Concrete plans for repair and preventing future harm
• Connection to resources addressing underlying causes
• Reintegration support

Examples: Creative Interventions Toolkit; Bay Area Transformative Justice Collective

Healing and Support for Those Harmed

• Survivor-centered healing practices
• Community support circles
• Therapeutic resources
• Practical support for safety and wellbeing
• Recognition of collective impact of harm

Examples: Communities Against Rape and Abuse; INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence

Addressing Root Causes of Harmful Behavior

• Mental health resources
• Substance use support
• Economic opportunity
• Healing from trauma
• Challenging violence-promoting cultural norms

Examples: S.O.U.L. Sisters Leadership Collective; Men’s Work anti-violence programs

Creating Infrastructures for Safety

Physical and Material Infrastructure

Neighborhood Design for Safety

• Well-lit and accessible public spaces
• Pedestrian-friendly streets
• Design that encourages community interaction
• Accessibility for people of all abilities
• Green spaces for gathering and recreation

Examples: Kounkuey Design Initiative; Parivartan program (India)

Community Safety Stations

• Accessible hubs for safety resources
• Spaces for mediation and conflict resolution
• Information centers for community resources
• First aid and emergency supplies
• Safe havens during crises

Examples: Haven Project (NYC); Community Safety Station (Westlake, LA)

Technology for Community Connection

• Neighborhood communication apps and systems
• Resource sharing platforms
• Emergency alert networks
• Community data collection and analysis
• Accessible technology for vulnerable community members

Examples: Detroit Community Technology Project; Mutual Aid Wiki

Organizational Infrastructure

Community Safety Councils/Committees

• Representative community bodies focused on safety
• Developing and implementing safety strategies
• Coordinating between different safety initiatives
• Evaluating effectiveness and adapting approaches
• Liaising with other community institutions

Examples: Newark Community Street Team; API Forward Movement

Training and Skill-Building Programs

• Regular workshops on safety-related skills
• Train-the-trainer models to spread knowledge
• Documentation of best practices
• Integration of diverse cultural approaches to safety
• Youth leadership development

Examples: American Friends Service Committee healing justice programs; CURYJ leadership development

Resource Coordination Networks

• Systems for connecting people with needed resources
• Warm handoff protocols between different services
• Pooling and sharing of community assets
• Coordination between formal and informal supports
• Regular mapping of community assets and gaps

Examples: Detroit Safety Team; Common Ground Collective (post-Katrina New Orleans)

Policy and Systems Change

Divesting from Punishment Systems

• Campaigns to reduce police and prison budgets
• Ending contracts with ICE and other enforcement agencies
• Closing jails and detention centers
• Stopping construction of new carceral facilities
• Redirecting resources to community needs

Examples: No New SF Jail Coalition; Defund OPD Campaign

Investing in Community-Based Solutions

• Participatory budgeting for public safety resources
• Public funding for community-led safety initiatives
• Resources for transformative justice programs
• Investment in prevention and root cause approaches
• Support for community-based crisis response

Examples: Participatory Budgeting Project; People’s Budget LA

Reducing Criminalization

• Decriminalization of poverty, substance use, and migration
• Ending gang injunctions and anti-loitering laws
• Bail reform and pretrial release
• Citation and release policies rather than arrest
• Restorative approaches to school discipline

Examples: Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD); MILPA

Creating Accountability for State Violence

• Civilian oversight with substantive power
• Independent investigation of police misconduct
• Removing qualified immunity protections
• Community control of police
• Reparations for victims of state violence

Examples: Chicago Torture Justice Memorials; Communities United for Police Reform

Implementation Strategies

Starting Where You Are

Individual and Small Group Steps

• Learn emergency response skills
• Form a safety pod with trusted others
• Practice intervention skills in your daily life
• Support existing safety initiatives
• Have conversations about safety with neighbors

Neighborhood-Level Actions

• Host community safety discussions
• Map community assets and resources
• Create phone trees or communication networks
• Organize skill-sharing workshops
• Develop protocols for common situations

Organizational Integration

• Incorporate safety practices into existing community groups
• Train staff and members in de-escalation and intervention
• Develop protocols for addressing harm within the organization
• Create partnerships with complementary organizations
• Allocate resources for community safety work

Building Sustainable Initiatives

Participatory Development

• Ensure those most affected lead in creating solutions
• Use inclusive processes for planning and implementation
• Incorporate diverse experiences and perspectives
• Address power dynamics within organizing spaces
• Create multiple ways for people to contribute

Capacity Building

• Develop leadership within the community
• Train trainers to spread skills
• Document processes for replication
• Create mentorship structures
• Develop sustainable funding models

Care for the Caregivers

• Support systems for those doing safety work
• Addressing vicarious trauma and burnout
• Regular reflection and evaluation
• Celebration and appreciation practices
• Rotation of roles and responsibilities

Continuous Learning

• Regular evaluation of effectiveness
• Learning from challenges and failures
• Adapting approaches based on feedback
• Connecting with other communities doing similar work
• Documenting and sharing lessons learned

Navigating Challenges

Working with Existing Systems

• Strategies for engaging with police when necessary
• Navigating court and legal systems
• Accessing public resources without compromising values
• Building relationships with supportive system actors
• Creating leverage for systemic change

Addressing Internal Conflict

• Processes for resolving disagreements within initiatives
• Addressing harm within organizing spaces
• Balancing urgency with careful process
• Managing different risk tolerances
• Clarifying shared values while respecting differences

Resource Limitations

• Starting with available resources
• Creative approaches to sustainability
• Building with rather than for community
• Prioritizing based on impact and need
• Balancing immediate response and long-term building

Resistance and Backlash

• Preparing for opposition from power structures
• Countering misrepresentation in media
• Building broader community support
• Legal and security preparations
• Maintaining momentum through challenges

Special Considerations

Rural Communities

• Adapting strategies for geographic distance
• Working with limited formal resources
• Leveraging strong existing community ties
• Addressing isolation and access challenges
• Building regional networks for support

Youth Safety

• Age-appropriate involvement in safety initiatives
• Creating safe spaces specifically for youth
• Addressing specific vulnerabilities and risks
• Supporting youth leadership in safety work
• Intergenerational approaches to safety

Immigrant Communities

• Language accessibility in safety resources
• Addressing fear of authorities and reporting
• Respecting cultural approaches to safety and conflict
• Navigating mixed immigration status communities
• Building solidarity between immigrant and non-immigrant residents

Disability Justice

• Ensuring physical and communication accessibility
• Addressing specific safety concerns for disabled community members
• Incorporating disability justice principles in safety work
• Creating accommodations in crisis response
• Challenging ableism in concepts of safety and harm

Interfaith Approaches

• Building on faith traditions’ justice and peace practices
• Creating multi-faith coalitions for safety
• Using sacred spaces as safety resources
• Drawing on spiritual wisdom for healing and reconciliation
• Addressing religious discrimination and division

Case Studies

[Include 3-5 detailed case studies from different contexts showing how communities have implemented these approaches]

Planning Templates and Tools

Community Safety Assessment

[Tool for evaluating current community safety assets, needs, and priorities]

Safety Network Mapping

[Template for mapping formal and informal safety resources]

Protocol Development Worksheet

[Guide for creating clear protocols for different safety situations]

Resource Coordination Planner

[Template for organizing shared community resources]

Safety Initiative Evaluation Framework

[Tool for assessing the effectiveness of safety strategies]

Conclusion

Creating community safety beyond policing is both deeply challenging and profoundly necessary work. It requires us to question deeply held assumptions about what creates safety, develop new skills and practices, and build infrastructure that may not yet exist in our communities. It also asks us to address the root causes of harm while developing immediate responses to keep each other safe.

This work is not about creating perfect communities free from all conflict or harm—such a goal would be neither realistic nor desirable. Rather, it’s about building our collective capacity to prevent harm where possible, respond effectively when it occurs, and transform the conditions that generate it. It’s about creating communities where safety emerges from connection, care, and justice rather than surveillance, exclusion, and punishment.

As we build these alternatives, we honor the communities who have maintained safety practices outside of state systems for generations, often out of necessity. Indigenous communities, Black communities, immigrant communities, disability justice communities, and many others have developed rich traditions of keeping each other safe without relying on systems that have often been sources of harm for them. Their wisdom and experience are invaluable guides in this work.

Building community safety beyond policing is long-term work that unfolds over generations. It requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures. But in doing this work, we not only create safer communities in the present—we practice bringing into being the world we wish to create.

Appendices

Appendix A: Sample Protocols

• Mental Health Crisis Response Protocol
• Domestic Violence Response Protocol
• Substance Use Emergency Protocol
• Conflict De-escalation Protocol
• Community Accountability Process

Appendix B: Resource Directory

[Template for creating a local directory of safety-related resources]

Appendix C: Training Curriculum Outline

[Framework for developing community safety skills training]

Appendix D: Further Resources

• Books and Articles
• Organizations and Networks
• Training Resources
• Funding Sources
• Digital Tools