Our Findings
Several distinct themes emerged in the areas of police, mental health, and community.
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Police
Duality of police:
Participants discussed their mistrust of police, while simultaneously acknowledging needing police. The mistrust stemmed from their own previous negative interactions with the police or witnessing such interactions, and high-profile cases of police corruption and brutality.
Probable Cause:
Participants referenced instances, in which they had interactions with police and were commanded to follow police instructions. The circumstances, as participants described them, indicated a gross divergence from U.S. law and citizen’s constitutional protections. For example, participants describing being pulled over for no reason or having their vehicle searched by police without having permission.
Police brutality:
National news media headlines on successive cases of police use of deadly force affected participants' trust in the ability of police to peacefully interact with communities of color. Participants expressed feelings being over-policed in comparison to white communities.
Community
Violence in the community:
There was a strong consensus among the focus groups that their neighborhoods experienced higher than average rates of violent crime. Participants highlighted frequent shootings, “recklessness,” and young people getting killed. In addition to police inaction being seen as a partial contributor to the level of neighborhood violence, participants also discussed the impact of the poor physical environment.
Social Disorganization:
Participants used photos to emphasize physical indicators of disorder, such as abandoned houses and drug paraphernalia, as well as public order indicators such as loitering and street harassment. Neighborhood gas stations were described as a lure for loitering and crime.
Solutions:
Participants suggested shelters or community centers for children in place of vacant lots, recreational and mentoring opportunities for kids, and converting abandoned buildings to use for people reentering from prison.
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Mental Health
Trauma:
A myriad of factors contributed to participants' sense of mental and emotional well-being. Some participants experienced the tragic death of a child. Deep concerns for neighborhood children being exposed to the traumatic effects of neighborhood violence were discussed.
Participants talked about ways in which trauma affected their subsequent social behavior, for example, permanently avoiding certain places. Trauma also contributed to participants anxiety and sense of safety.
Substance Abuse:
Some areas in the neighborhood were avoided and cited as a trigger to participants’ sobriety. Areas in which a drug overdose or arrest occurred were provided as examples. Being involved in organized religion and having a sponsor aided in participant’s sobriety.
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WHAT DO THESE FINDINGS MEAN?
Head over to our Analysis page for insights on how this research connects the dots for our communities and policy implications.