25 Aug

Neighborhood Peace Walk touted as ‘first step’ in bringing community together, deterring violent crime in Topeka

Posted by in Criminal Justice Reform, Topeka JUMP

August 25, 2019. The Topeka Capital-Journal.

Despite overcast skies and rainy weather, more than a hundred community members showed up on Sunday afternoon to Betty Phillips Park in southeast Topeka to call for an end to gun violence in the capital city.

Chants of “Enough is enough” and “The violence must stop” filled the air as attendees of the Neighborhood Peace Walk made their way through Topeka’s Hi-Crest neighborhood. The peace walk was organized by community volunteers, the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice and Topeka JUMP, an organization of faith leaders who advocate for sound policy at the grassroots level. And their message was clear.

Read More “Neighborhood Peace Walk touted as ‘first step’ in bringing community together, deterring violent crime in Topeka”
24 Jul

Hillsborough County Commission Eyes Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Posted by in Affordable Housing, HOPE

July 24, 2019. WUSF NEWS

Hillsborough County Board Commissioners held a public hearing last week about a proposed budget allocation for affordable housing.

In April, the commission directed the County Attorney’s Office to draft an ordinance for an affordable housing trust fund in an amount of $10 million a year.

There is a remainder of a $5 million budget that will be added onto the new budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, according to the commissioners.

Read More “Hillsborough County Commission Eyes Affordable Housing Trust Fund”
18 Jul

School suspensions tied to increase in assaults, theft, drug crimes, Kentucky researchers say

Posted by in BUILD, Minority Rights, Public Education Improvement

July 18, 2019. Lexington Herald Leader.

Two researchers from Kentucky have co-authored a new study that shows that school suspensions increased criminal behaviors among teens that include assault, stealing, and selling drugs.

The study, by former Elizabethtown resident Thomas James Mowen, now a researcher at Ohio’s Bowling Green State University and John J. Brent, an assistant professor at Eastern Kentucky University, was published July 12 in Justice Quarterly, a publication of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. It has received national media attention this week.

“The effect of school discipline aren’t as short-lived as some people think,” Brent told the Herald-Leader Wednesday. “It can create a ripple effect that impacts youth as they move into and enter adulthood.”

Read More “School suspensions tied to increase in assaults, theft, drug crimes, Kentucky researchers say”
16 Jul

Education Coalition wants public hearing for KCS, local law enforcement policy agreement

Posted by in Justice Knox, Public Education Improvement

July 16, 2019. WATE

Several community groups have requested a public forum to discuss an agreement soon to be made between the Knox County School district and the local law enforcement agencies.

The agreement mentioned is the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Knox County Board of Education, Knoxville Police Department and Knox County Sheriff’s Office, which addresses the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement agencies at the schools.

“The draft Memorandum of Agreement has been developed largely behind closed doors and without meaningful opportunity for questions, comments or input from the public,” according to the release sent by the Education Coalition.

Read More “Education Coalition wants public hearing for KCS, local law enforcement policy agreement”
19 Jun

New IDs for undocumented immigrants in Palm Beach County

Posted by in Minority Rights, PEACE Palm Beach

June 19, 2019. WPTV

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Undocumented immigrants have a new opportunity in Palm Beach County to get IDs.

The Community ID Program, sponsored by the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, does not provide government issued ID cards, but it does offer a form of photo Identification recognized for city services in West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, and Belle Glade.

Maribel Gonzalez has lived as an undocumented immigrant in Palm Beach County for seven years.

“I want to be part of the community,” Gonzalez said.

Read More “New IDs for undocumented immigrants in Palm Beach County”