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Is new California police deadly force law making a difference?

Laurel Rosenhall Byrhonda Lyons

May 11, 2021 |

CalMatters |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

More than a year after taking effect, California's law restricting when police can use deadly force has had some effects on police accountability and training, but a number of flaws illustrate how long and difficult the process of change will be. The Act to Save Lives, which limits the use of deadly force to cases when it is needed to defend a life, has been cited by prosecutors in two homicide prosecutions. A number of police departments have followed the law's training dictates. But many others have been slow to roll out the training, and the state is not requiring officers to take it to stay certified.

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Sun Peaks' potential journey to economic sustainability

Joel Barde

May 10, 2021 |

Sun Peaks Independent News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Whistler, British Columbia

Whistler, Canada, has taken specific steps to work towards economic sustainability. Those measures include affordable housing for workers, a year-round tourism model, and amenities that contribute to a high quality of life for residents. Whistler has created a model that Sun Peaks, British Columbia, could benefit from implementing as well.

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The Ferguson movement is on the cusp of revolutionizing political power in St. Louis

Rebecca Rivas

May 06, 2021 |

Missouri Independent |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

Frustrated at the slow pace of criminal justice reform after the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, the grassroots group Action St. Louis formed to seize political power and make change happen from the inside of the system rather than pressuring for change from the outside. After years of organizing and politicking, it flipped key offices – St. Louis city and county prosecutors, the Board of Aldermen, and the mayor – outflanking the police union's candidates with officeholders committed to re-imagining public safety policy.

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Huge success for Mother's Day bailout, as annual Philly effort blows past fundraising goal

Michaela Winberg

May 06, 2021 |

Billy Penn |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia Community Bail Fund freed more than 400 people from jail in 2020, thanks to $3 million donated amid the COVID-19 crisis and racial justice protests. Organizers of the Black Mama's Day Bailout, an annual targeted campaign that gave rise to the community bail fund five years ago, expected donor fatigue this year might limit their work. But they exceeded the 2020 Mother's Day campaign, freeing 25 women, in part from sales of art made by formerly incarcerated women in a partnership with an arts co-op. Cash bail penalizes people too poor to afford to remain free before trial.

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How Asians Became the Most Vaccinated Group in New York City

Amanda Rosa

May 05, 2021 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Community centers in New York are playing a crucial role in helping to connect the city's Asian residents with Covid vaccine appointments. From training translators on medical lingo to collecting local resident's information for online scheduling, these community organizations are "filling the gaps government agencies have left behind."

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New study identifies need for more attorneys to represent people facing housing legal woes

Nate Morabito

May 04, 2021 |

WCNC-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

The Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy uses limited funding to provide lawyers to renters facing eviction. Preventing homelessness is more cost effective than providing services for people experiencing homelessness, and avoiding eviction prevents long-term credit problems. The attorneys provide a level of security to renters by helping them navigate the complex legal system and connecting them to other public services. Some are advocating for a "right to counsel" law, like one recently adopted in Louisville and paid for with federal pandemic funds, which guarantees free lawyers to people facing eviction.

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This community garden in Southeast Washington grows far more than food

Noah Robertson

May 03, 2021 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

As a way to bring the community together and promote healing in Southeast Washington, D.C., residents created a garden known as Project Eden. Their garden has grown to a plot of land that grows roots, legumes, fruits, and greens with a greenhouse and aquaponics system that has fed thousands of people. The founders view the garden as a way to strengthen food security and encourage resiliency for an area where people have witnessed violent acts.

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American cities have long struggled to reform their police – but isolated success stories suggest community and officer buy-in might be key

Thaddeus L. Johnson Natasha N. Johnson

April 30, 2021 |

The Conversation |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Cincinnati, Ohio

One police-reform program that outperformed and outlasted most cities' attempts was Cincinnati's "collaborative agreement," an unusual team effort focused on community involvement at every step. Sparked by a controversial police shooting of an unarmed Black man, the program went beyond federal government and court oversight to include other key stakeholders in the community and police unions. Changed policies on use of force, crime prevention, and police accountability led to lower crime, improved police-community relations, fewer injuries, and fewer racially biased traffic stops.

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Michigan aiming to reduce seclusion and restraints at institutions that care for children

Tianna Jenkins

April 29, 2021 |

WSYM-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Michigan

After the death of a 16-year-old boy who was tackled and restrained by staff at a juvenile justice facility, Michigan children's services officials imposed emergency rules limiting the use of restraints. In the past year, the use of restraints – which include handcuffs, straitjackets, even chemicals and medication – dropped from about 600 cases per month to fewer than half that. The state now is considering permanent rules restricting their use and is requiring more training for staff in preventing physical conflicts. One advocate says Pennsylvania serves as a model for nearly eliminating the problem.

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Can “democracy dollars” keep real dollars out of politics?

Julia Hotz

April 28, 2021 |

MIT Technology Review |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Democracy Vouchers, a tax-payer-funded program that sends four $25 certificates to residents to donate to local candidates, made Seattle the national leader by increasing the percent of the electorate donating to local campaigns to nearly 8%. They also allow more non-establishment candidates, who lack connections to wealthy donors, to run for office. Four of the nine 2019 city council candidates used vouchers to help fund their campaigns and the vouchers are being expanded to the city’s mayoral races. A national pilot program was also approved to try vouchers for congressional candidates in three states.

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