Where are the parents? Often standing right over their kids: Pathways to Peace

Misinformation and misunderstanding about the law can lead youth to have accelerating confrontations with the police. Cleveland’s Patrick Henry School offers Juvenile Justice Jeopardy, a game that orients middle school kids to the facts about criminal justice. The game enables youth to internalize the information through an enjoyable format.

Should police be law enforcers or social responders? Some leaders say "guardian" duty is at least important as purely law enforcement tasks, sometimes known as "warrior" work. That idea is rooted in centuries-old principles of policing.

After going to prison themselves, John Knight of Jackson and Shanduke McPhatter of Brooklyn are living straight and determined to make changes. They work as "violence interrupters" in their neighborhoods, using an approach called "Cure Violence," developed by Dr. Gary Slutkin. They mentor other young, at-risk men and encourage them towards graduating high school, community service, staying away from drugs, and pursuing honest work.

A program in Baltimore bring youths together with volunteer second “families” to help guide them through turbulent times.

Members of a community group in North Hartford, CT, are a positive presence on the streets of the dangerous neighborhood they once grew up in. Men Standing Up Against Violence aim to deter violence, provide support, mediate conflicts, and mentor the youth. The presence of the group was initially unwelcomed by local police officers, but they have proven to be an effective and vital addition to the neighborhood, winning over both the community and the local police department. The group's success is attributed to the trust they've built with locals who often have a deep mistrust and fear of the police.

A sheriff in northern Florida is helping break the cycle of incarceration by working to change how communities and law enforcement interact. The effort includes mentoring children of incarcerated parents, linking the department to the many religious institutions in the town and incorporating religion into jail programs, and connecting offenders to job opportunities. Over Morris Young’s tenure, juvenile arrests have dropped drastically and far fewer inmates are being sent to the state prison.

A school resource officer in Ohio decided to persist with one specific student who distrusted police and deliberately avoided talking to them. Over the course of four years, the officer persisted in efforts to reach the young man and gradually the two built a relationship of mutual respect. That has changed both of their outlooks regarding how to address racial tensions between police and the black community.

Girls in Chicago's toughest neighborhoods face extensive danger on a daily basis. Not enough is being done to help girls so that they do not engage in violence or self-harm. Programs such as the Urban Warrior Program, Demoiselle 2 Femme, and the juvenile justice system are implementing programs tailored to understand the issues for girls in this community and to then provide mentoring and education.

Restorative justice, a process that originated in New Zealand, aims to repair damaged relationships rather than merely meting out punishment. It can be far more demanding than a traditional route through court, but for juvenile offenders like those in King County, who are statistically likely to get stuck in a cycle of crime after a first prison sentence, the alternative to incarceration may provide a constructive path forward.

Operation Focus is a nationally recognized initiative to help curb gun violence; however, its effectiveness has proven to not be sustainable. The city of Cleveland has evaluated the problems of the initiative and has put forth a new plan to address underlying issues related to gun violence. Cleveland’s new approach treats violence as a preventable condition.