The Future of Public Safety | Troy Riggs | TEDxWabashCollege

Summary

The speaker, a veteran police officer, reflects on his 30-year career and criticizes the outdated training methods for police officers, which focus on patrolling and arresting rather than addressing root causes of crime. He advocates for a data-driven approach to understand and tackle issues like mass incarceration, poverty, and mental health, emphasizing the need for a public safety initiative that includes financial security, behavioral health support, and assistance for those left behind. The speaker calls for community involvement and accountability from officials to develop strategies for a safer and more equitable society.

Takeaways

• 👮 The speaker, a veteran police officer, emphasizes the need for a reevaluation of police training methods, suggesting that current practices are outdated and incomplete.
• 🔍 The speaker calls for a data-driven approach to understand and address the root causes of crime, including financial security, behavioral health, and the needs of those left behind in society.
• 🏛️ There is a critique of the mass incarceration system in the U.S., highlighting its unfairness and the need to address disparities in sentencing based on where individuals live.
• 📊 The importance of local data is underscored to illustrate the concentration of crime and poverty in specific areas within cities, using Indianapolis as an example.
• 🏢 The speaker points out the high correlation between areas of poverty and crime, suggesting that traditional policing methods are insufficient to address these issues.
• 🤝 A collaborative approach involving various public safety stakeholders, including probation and parole officers, courts, and prosecutors, is advocated for a more holistic approach to crime prevention.
• 🏥 The connection between mental health and crime is highlighted, with the speaker noting that a significant percentage of police-related shootings involve individuals with mental health issues.
• 🍚 The script discusses the impact of addressing basic needs such as food security, using the example of Gleaners Food Bank in Indianapolis, which led to a noticeable reduction in crime.
• 🏡 The issue of reintegrating former prisoners into society is raised, with a focus on providing housing, jobs, and counseling to prevent recidivism.
• 🏘️ The Denver Opportunity Index is presented as a model for using data to understand and improve living conditions in specific areas, promoting a tailored approach to public safety.
• 📈 The speaker encourages citizens to engage actively with their local governments, demanding accountability and the use of data to develop effective community strategies.

Q & A

How long ago did the speaker take the oath to become a police officer?

The speaker took the oath to become a police officer 30 years ago.

What significant events did the speaker participate in during their career?

The speaker had conversations with two presidents about crime issues, sat down with two United States Attorney Generals to discuss juvenile crime, and testified before Congress on homeland security issues.

What does the speaker believe is the current state of police officer training?

The speaker believes that the current police officer training methodology is incomplete and has not evolved significantly in the past 30 years.

What does the speaker suggest is the role of data in addressing crime and public safety?

The speaker suggests that data is crucial for understanding what is happening in cities, revealing the ill effects of current policing methods, and informing strategies to address the root causes of crime.

What are the three pillars the speaker identifies as essential to public safety?

The three pillars identified by the speaker are financial security, behavioral health, and support for those left behind.

How does the speaker describe the situation in the six key areas of Indianapolis?

The speaker describes the situation as dire, with 4.7% of the population residing in areas that account for 27% of murders and 30% of non-fatal shootings, low education levels, high likelihood of mental health issues, and high unemployment rates.

What is the Denver Opportunity Index mentioned by the speaker?

The Denver Opportunity Index is a data-based tool that ranks census tracts in the city of Denver based on the three pillars of financial security, behavioral health, and support for those left behind, to understand the living conditions and needs of different areas.

What impact did the Gleaners Food Bank have on crime rates after addressing food insecurity in Indianapolis?

After addressing food insecurity by providing meals to people in areas of poverty, the Gleaners Food Bank observed a drop in crime rates by over ten percent a year later.

What is the significance of the speaker's call to action for American citizens?

The speaker's call to action encourages American citizens to get involved in their communities, use their time, talent, and resources to make a difference, and hold their elected officials accountable for using data to develop effective public safety strategies.

How does the speaker connect the issues in major cities to the Declaration of Independence?

The speaker connects the issues by stating that the lack of basic needs such as safety, education, and the ability to make ends meet hinders the realization of the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as outlined in the Declaration of Independence.

Outlines

00:00

👮 Evolution of Policing and Societal Challenges

The speaker reflects on their 30-year career as a police officer, highlighting the unchanged training methodologies despite evolving societal issues. They express concern over the current state of policing, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of crime. The speaker calls for a focus on data to understand and rectify the disparities in law enforcement and the mass incarceration resulting from existing practices. They also point out the disparities in incarceration rates based on geographic location and the negative impacts on communities, advocating for a change in the way police officers are trained and the way communities are served.

05:01

📊 Addressing the Root Causes of Crime Through Data

The speaker delves into the importance of data in understanding the root causes of crime, such as financial insecurity, behavioral health issues, and the plight of those left behind in society. They use the example of Indianapolis to illustrate the concentration of crime and poverty in specific areas, emphasizing the need for targeted public safety initiatives rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The speaker argues for a collaborative effort involving various uniformed services and community stakeholders to tackle these issues proactively and holistically, rather than merely focusing on arrests and incarceration.

10:01

🏛️ Transforming Public Safety Through Community Initiatives

The speaker presents a case for a reimagined approach to public safety, moving away from traditional policing to a more community-oriented strategy. They discuss the Denver Opportunity Index as a model for understanding the specific needs of different areas within a city, allowing for targeted interventions. The speaker shares success stories from Denver, where collaborative efforts between government and community organizations have led to significant improvements in public safety and reductions in crime. They emphasize the importance of financial security, behavioral health support, and services for those re-entering society from prison as key pillars of this new approach.

15:04

🌟 A Call to Action for a Holistic Approach to Public Safety

In the concluding paragraph, the speaker issues a call to action for citizens to become involved in addressing the complex issues facing their communities. They stress the importance of holding elected officials and public safety leaders accountable for using data to develop effective strategies. The speaker invokes the Declaration of Independence, reminding the audience of the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and argues that these rights are being denied to many in America's cities. They express a passionate belief in the need for a collective effort to ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to succeed, and they encourage the audience to join them in this endeavor.

Keywords

💡Public Safety

Public safety refers to the protection of the public from harm, whether it be through police, fire, or other emergency services. In the video's context, it emphasizes the need for a collective approach to safety that goes beyond traditional policing methods. The speaker mentions 'public safety' as a broader initiative that includes various uniformed personnel and emergency responders, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of crime and societal issues.

💡Community Policing

Community policing is a strategy that focuses on building relationships and trust between police officers and the communities they serve. The script discusses the evolution of policing from traditional methods to more community-oriented approaches, which aim to address the underlying issues that contribute to crime. The speaker points out that while there has been progress in community policing, more needs to be done to ensure that training and methodologies are up to date and effective.

💡Mass Incarceration

Mass incarceration is the phenomenon where a large portion of a population is imprisoned, often disproportionately affecting certain communities. The video script highlights mass incarceration as a significant issue in the U.S., showing how it has led to social and economic disparities. The speaker argues that the current approach to law enforcement contributes to this problem and that a reevaluation of practices is necessary to address its ill effects.

💡Data-Driven Approach

A data-driven approach involves making decisions based on empirical evidence and analysis. The speaker in the video advocates for cities to focus on data to understand the dynamics of crime and societal issues. By using data, cities can identify patterns, such as high crime rates in specific areas, and develop targeted strategies to address these issues effectively.

💡Despair

Despair, in the context of the video, refers to the feeling of hopelessness experienced by individuals living in areas with high crime, poverty, and lack of opportunities. The speaker describes areas within cities where people are struggling and feel left behind, emphasizing the need for targeted initiatives to provide hope and improve living conditions.

💡Financial Security

Financial security is the state of having reliable and consistent financial resources to meet one's needs and goals. The video discusses financial security as one of the three pillars essential for public safety, highlighting the link between poverty and crime. The speaker uses the example of high poverty rates in certain areas and the impact it has on the overall well-being and safety of the community.

💡Behavioral Health

Behavioral health refers to the psychological and social aspects of health, including mental health and substance use disorders. The script points out the high rates of suicides and mental health issues in major cities, as well as the impact on families of crime victims and perpetrators. The speaker calls for a shift in focus to address these issues as part of a comprehensive public safety strategy.

💡Mental Health Run

A 'mental health run' refers to an emergency response to a situation involving an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. The video script uses this term to illustrate the disproportionate need for such responses in areas of high poverty and despair, indicating the importance of addressing mental health as part of public safety.

💡Reentry

Reentry refers to the process of individuals returning to society after serving time in prison. The speaker in the video discusses the challenges faced by those reentering society, such as finding housing, employment, and dealing with mental health issues. The script emphasizes the need for support systems to help reduce recidivism rates and integrate individuals back into their communities successfully.

💡Opportunity Index

The Opportunity Index, as mentioned in the script, is a data-based tool developed in Denver to measure the well-being and opportunities available to residents in different areas of the city. It is based on the three pillars of financial security, behavioral health, and those left behind. The index is used to identify areas of need and to develop targeted interventions to improve the quality of life and safety in those communities.

💡Accountability

Accountability in the video script refers to the responsibility of public officials and leaders to be transparent, provide accurate data, and work with communities to develop effective strategies for public safety. The speaker urges citizens to hold their elected officials accountable to ensure that they are addressing the root causes of crime and societal issues.

Highlights

The speaker reflects on their 30-year career as a police officer and the evolution of police training.

Criticisms of the current police training methodology as being incomplete and outdated.

The importance of addressing the root causes of crime through a public safety initiative rather than a police-centric approach.

The need for cities to focus on data to understand and address the underlying issues contributing to crime and incarceration.

The disproportionate impact of mass incarceration on certain communities and the unfairness in the justice system.

The stark realities of living conditions in impoverished areas, with high crime rates and limited opportunities.

The role of financial security, behavioral health, and support for those left behind as key pillars for public safety.

Examples of how addressing food insecurity and providing resources can lead to a decrease in crime rates.

The significance of mental health in relation to crime and the importance of training police officers to handle such situations.

The impact of property crime on individuals and communities and the need for a more empathetic approach.

The challenges faced by prisoners re-entering society and the high recidivism rate due to lack of support.

The Denver Opportunity Index as an innovative method to understand and address disparities in different areas of a city.

The success of community-based initiatives in reducing crime and improving public safety.

The call to action for citizens to engage in their communities and hold officials accountable for data-driven solutions.

The philosophical shift required in public safety to embrace a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders.

The Declaration of Independence's principles as a foundation for addressing current societal issues and striving for equality.

The passionate plea for collective action to ensure all citizens have the opportunity to succeed and achieve their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

you

[Music]

[Applause]

good afternoon you know 30 years ago I

raised my right hand took the oath of

office to serve and protect the citizens

of the greater Louisville area in fact I

just taken the oath to become a

Jefferson County police officer I was

honored to serve my hometown and honor

to serve with some of the bravest

individuals I'd ever met in my life

since then in the 30 years that have

passed I've had a tremendous blessed

career I've had the opportunity to chat

with two presidents regarding crime

issues I've been able to sit down with

two United States Attorney General's and

actually have a discussion about

juvenile crime in the future of American

society in regards to juveniles and once

I was called before Congress to testify

in regards to homeland security issues

specifically how they were being

addressed in cities and the threats that

were in the cities it was an honor to

serve in these capacities but I have to

tell you after 30 years I'm a little

trouble today because I believe that our

citizens and our police officers deserve

better

because I can honestly tell you that the

way we trained police officers now the

methodology of on which we train them is

incomplete and once again our officers

who sacrifice their lives and and their

injuries time and time again deserve

better and so do our public let me

explain what I mean by that right now if

you're a young person you come to

training you're gonna get them about the

same training that I received 30 years

ago you're going to be told how to

patrol better ways to patrol now today

we do a better job of talking about

community policing and different things

but at the end of the day we still train

how to patrol we train how to make an

arrest

we've gotten better in 30 years about

how we do that safely but then we also

train how to incarcerate people what I

mean by that is how do we testify in

court to ensure that individuals go to

jail so what are we going to do about

these issues how are we going to address

these issues long term to ensure that

we're on the right path well I will tell

you this I think that each city in

America needs to be focused on data they

need to understand what is occurring and

data is able to tell us some things that

we haven't seen in the past

it's shown us the ill effects of this

type of policing of arresting and

prosecuting to the fullest extent of the

law it is demonstrated to us the mass

incarceration that has resulted is it

fair in the United States of America

that a person goes to jail simply

because they live in a tough area town

compared to an area that they wouldn't

go to jail if they didn't live there I

don't think it is we have to address

that and we have to be honest not only

in law enforcement and the community

addressing these issues I also want to

point out that when we look at these

cities across America all of America's

major cities that individuals are

struggling in many areas that there are

large areas within each of our cities

where people are in despair people are

struggling people feel like they're

without voice they're without hope we

need to address that someone told me

recently that they believe that this was

the number one threat to our cities and

if our cities are the economic engine

that fuels this great country that it's

the number one threat to our country as

a whole

let me give you a better understanding

of what's going on in every city in

America but specifically the city that's

closest to us today that's a large city

and that's Indianapolis Indiana

remember this data is a couple years old

but it appease there's six key areas

some people call those focus areas other

call them intersections but that's eight

square miles out of 400 square miles in

the city of Indianapolis when you start

adding up the people in those areas

that's four point seven percent of the

population four point seven percent of

the entire population of the city of

Indianapolis resides in these eight

square miles but when you live in that

area that four point seven percent of

the population resides an area where 27

percent of the murders occur 30% of the

non-fatal shootings to put it another

way we're talking about 600 percent more

likely to have a murder or a non-fatal

shooting in these areas than anywhere

else in the city of Indianapolis

education levels at the lowest levels

possible in the city lower than anywhere

else is it any wonder with all

stocked up against them that there's a

239 percent greater likelihood to have a

mental health run by EMS and this area

compared to everyone else and then to

make matters worse 22 to 23 percent of

the residents in this area 22 to 23

percent are unemployed at the peak of

the Great Depression the unemployment

rate was 25% these areas are depression

like people struggling and remember what

I said earlier when we Patrol arrest and

incarcerate it's not going to help

people in these areas in addition to the

arrest and prosecution we need to start

focusing on what we can do beforehand

and I will say this is a public safety

initiative here what I said

I didn't say a police initiative I said

a public safety initiative that means

that anyone wears a uniform that

responds in your home and any type of

emergency would be involved that means

that our probation and parole officers

court systems prosecutors need to be

involved but the three pillars that I

say are essential to public safety to

get to the root causes of crime or

simply this financial security

behavioral health and those left behind

most of the numbers I'm showing you

could be reflected in these major areas

within each and every city of America

first of all financial security it is

hard to believe in the midst of this

economic prosperity that is America now

the economic engine that are cities that

40 million Americans are living in

poverty if you make fifteen thousand

dollars a year and you live in New York

City the federal government says you do

not live in poverty if you're single the

same if you have a family of four and

you make twenty four thousand and five

hundred so while poverty numbers give us

an understanding of some of the despair

that's happening in our major cities it

doesn't give us a accurate picture maybe

something more accurate as food

insecurity meaning every night people go

to bed hungry in our major cities in

these areas of despair

here if we were going to try to solve

that food disparity issue and food

insecurity issue in Indianapolis Indiana

it would call citizens 83 million

dollars to the city just north of us

today in Chicago Illinois 354 million

dollars now you're starting to get a

picture what it's like to live in these

areas of despair in our major cities you

may find it i but i but i have included

under financial security property crime

we don't pay a lot of tension a property

crime and policing i hate to say that

but it's true we don't pay a lot of

tension and the media the public doesn't

pay a lot of attention once in awhile

there's a spike you'll hear a news story

but let me tell you an importance of

monitoring property crime if you live in

one of these areas of despair you've

lived in one of these areas where people

are struggling to make ends meet

and you've been able to scrape up enough

money to buy an iPad for your family and

now you can connect socially your

children connect socially and your

children are doing better in school

because they have the resources now with

that iPad when that I pay gets stolen

that is just a property crime another

number in the books for the police

department for that family that is a

life altering event and we need to be

aware of that in public safety as we

move forward and try to find ideas and

suggestions on how to deal with these

challenges behavioral health

I have not study in a major city yet

that suicides don't outpace murders

usually two to one sometimes more than

that this is what's happening in many of

our major cities across America I've

also put violent crime under behavioral

health issue we talk about victims of

crime and some cities do a very good job

of dealing with people that have a

violent crime history they'd been a

victim of a violent crime they send

services and help some cities don't do a

very good job but most do especially

large cities but what about that

victim's family they've been victimized

as well then we have to change our

thought process a little bit what about

the perpetrators family aren't they

victimized as well because of the acts

of a loved one and then this gets a

little bit tougher what about the

perpetrator that individuals going to

prison and should go to prison but guess

what they're going to get out of prison

what are we doing to make sure that when

they return they don't go right back

into that life of crime and harm another

American citizen and so those left

behind who are they are these citizens

that are living in our cities and they

see all of this building all the

entertainment venues all the people

moving to major cities money is growing

constantly tax base is growing

constantly but yet they feel like

they're left behind is that the

immigrant community that we know that is

moving to major cities in these areas of

despair looking to assimilate and find

jobs so they can provide for their

children and live that American dream

and once again what about those

thousands upon thousands of prisoners

that come back to the streets each and

every year in our nation many of them

with mental health issues many of them

with dependency issues and with all

those issues in a criminal record is it

any wonder that since we have very

little services for a film that 76% 76%

return to prison within five years so

that's some of the macro data large data

but here's my proposal every city in

America should develop data based on

these three pillars every city on

America should be able to tell you what

numbers they have a financial security

behavioral health and people left behind

for every block in America when we look

at these large numbers we think it's too

large to fix it's not too large if we

take small increments you may think

that's impossible but it's not in Denver

Colorado we have put together what we

say is a denver opportunity index denver

opportunity index it's simply based on

data on the three pillars I am NOT

including all the vast amounts of data

that we have but I want to share with

you how we can start understanding what

people are living like in certain areas

and work collectively and

collaboratively as government to deal

with these issues in this census tract

there's 6,400 residents

in age of 31 there's 142 census tracts

in the city of Denver there's only a

hundred square miles so this census

tract represents a half square mile we

know what citizens are dealing with if

you have a ranking of one in the

opportunity index it means you have the

greatest opportunities for success you

have the highest education highest

income if you rank 142 it means you have

the least amount of success you have the

highest poverty least amount of income

these are the issues if you just take a

quick look at this opportunity index you

realize in this census tract the people

that are living there they rank 136

there's only six census tracts in the

entire city of Denver that has more

people in poverty than this area why is

this important for cities to do because

in cities we try to have a

one-size-fits-all mentality on policing

we have to realize that the challenges

on the north side of our cities are

different than the south side the needs

on the west side are different than the

needs on the east side and we need to

have this data to make good firm

decisions to ensure that we're being

effective and efficient with taxpayer

dollars but most importantly to ensure

that citizens are getting the services

and the opportunities that they deserve

so people ask me all the time do you

really think this will work I know to

work because I've seen it in action in

Indianapolis Indiana Gleaners Food Bank

saw the food issues the food insecurity

that eighty three million dollars they

saw the areas of abject poverty and

Gleaners went out and they found people

to help and they have provided mills

hundreds of thousands of mills for

people in those areas and you know what

the result has been when we took a

snapshot a year later crime had dropped

by over ten percent

just because basic needs are met in the

United States today 25% of all

police-related shootings involve someone

with a mental health issue the police

executive Research Forum out of

Washington DC realized that work with

local corporations and they developed

training they're going into cities now

in training police officers how to deal

better with people with mental illness

and because of that work in that

collaborate

of effort they have lowered the amount

of use of force in those cities and

those left behind after seeing the

complete Denver opportunity index

presentation Volunteers of America

realized that far too many individuals

far too many individuals are leaving

jail and going to these areas of abject

poverty and they've disrupted that they

have been in the jails now talking to

individuals saying to these individuals

come to the Volunteers of America we're

going to give you housing we're going to

give you jobs we're going to give you

counseling and we're going to give you

hope for the first time in your life

that's only been initiative that's been

ongoing for a few months but as we speak

today zero was the amount of people that

were returned to the Denver County Jail

as a result of this work many people get

the misconception that this is a big

government program it is not it's using

the government money and the people that

we have now within departments of Public

Safety in Denver we have 4,500 employees

and we have a budget about 550 million

dollars what's so good about this is

it's not a government program

it's a retooling of Public Safety it's a

philosophical shift in the way we do

Public Safety because we realize that

public safety is everyone's

responsibility it's gonna take all of us

working together look at these three

success stories leaners went out and

found volunteers they went out and found

the funding they went out and found the

food just because we gave them the data

necessary to do this perf saw the data

that put been put together by the media

and they went out and found corporations

willing to give money to develop this on

their own and Volunteers of America saw

a need and got engaged and changed the

way they distribute services to meet the

needs and the community and it will have

a profound effect in the community

here's what i wasyou as American

citizens I'm going to ask you to do

something for me

if you're concerned about your country

if you're concerned about your city if

you're concerned about human beings take

a moment and roll up your sleeves get to

work give your time talent and treasures

also hold your mayors

your elected officials your police

chiefs your fire chief's even your

directors of Public Safety hold them

accountable and make sure they give you

accurate data and that they're working

with you on a continual basis to develop

strategies to make a difference in the

community I in with this putting the

famous words from the Declaration of

Independence on the screen because I

learned about the omen I was younger and

I've lived by those my entire life

our foundation of this great Republic is

built on this document Abraham Lincoln

himself when he talked about this

document said these are god-given rights

they're their inalienable they're right

there in front of us life liberty and

pursuit of happiness you know I've read

in history where great men and women

have used these words that called this

nation caused this nation to repentance

for the sins of slavery and

discrimination I've heard freedom loving

people around the world use these words

to ensure that they can get relief from

their oppression but I have to tell you

I'm passionate about this and the reason

I'm passionate is when I look into our

major cities today and I see some of the

issues that are festering they are the

issues of depravity of the issues of not

having food not having clothing not

having water to drink in some cases I

can honestly stand here and tell you

that not all of our young people have

those same rights that most of us had

how can you have the right to life when

every day you're worried about your

safety and someone else's safety how can

you have liberty when you don't have the

basic education to get a job that pulls

you out of poverty and how in the world

can you pursue happiness when each and

every day you're struggling just to make

ends meet and on most days you fall

short see I truly believe we'll never

know our full potential as a nation as

great as we are until all of our

residents have an opportunity to succeed

I hope and pray that you will join me on

this endeavor thank you

[Applause]