Review Weiner & Vining, particularly on backward mapping. As part of a policy memo for the mayor and St. Paul city council, 1) include a stakeholder analysis as detailed as possible for the "Community-First Public Safety" case study, and 2) answer Leonard's three questions for the proposed community-first public safety program as best you can based on the available material/information.
Question 1: Do we have the capacity to carry out this program?
Question 2: Do we have the support of the people or organizations whose support (or opposition) to this program is relevant to our carrying it forward?
Question 3: Would the operation of this action, program, or initiative create (net) public value?
Full Answer Section
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- Social justice advocates: Groups who believe the current system unfairly targets people of color and low-income communities. They would see this program as a step towards racial justice reform.
- Reform-minded police officers: Officers who support community policing models and believe social service interventions can be more effective than traditional enforcement for certain situations.
- Opponents:
- Police unions: Unions may resist changes that could reduce the power or scope of police work.
- Some residents: People who feel traditional policing is necessary to maintain safety may oppose a program seen as weakening law enforcement.
- Business owners: Businesses concerned about crime may be skeptical of a program that emphasizes social services over enforcement.
- Politicians wary of change: Elected officials who fear being seen as "soft on crime" may be hesitant to support the program.
Stakeholder Interests:
- Community members: Want safer neighborhoods, but also want to feel respected and included by public safety officials.
- Community organizations: Want to be involved in solutions, secure funding for their programs, and demonstrate the effectiveness of their approach.
- Social justice advocates: Want to reduce racial bias in policing and incarceration, and invest in preventative measures that address the root causes of crime.
- Reform-minded police officers: Want to improve police-community relations, focus on serving the community, and reduce the risk of officer-involved shootings.
- Police unions: Want to protect the jobs, benefits, and bargaining power of police officers.
- Residents who feel traditional policing is necessary: Want to feel safe and secure in their neighborhoods.
- Business owners: Want to protect their property from crime and create a safe environment for their customers and employees.
- Politicians wary of change: Want to be seen as tough on crime and avoid alienating voters who support traditional policing methods.
Considerations for Policy Memo:
- The stakeholder analysis should highlight the potential benefits of the program for community members, social justice advocates, and reform-minded police officers.
- It should acknowledge the concerns of police unions, residents who feel traditional policing is necessary, and business owners.
- The memo should address these concerns by outlining strategies for mitigating risks and ensuring public safety.
Answering Leonard's Questions on Community-First Public Safety
Question 1: Do we have the capacity to carry out this program?
- A thorough assessment of the city's resources (funding, staffing, training) for social services and community outreach programs is needed.
- The policy memo should explore partnerships with existing community organizations to leverage their expertise and infrastructure.
Question 2: Do we have the support of the people or organizations whose support (or opposition) to this program is relevant to our carrying it forward?
- Community engagement is crucial. Public forums, surveys, and meetings with stakeholders can gauge community support and identify areas of concern.
- The memo should outline a plan for garnering support from relevant stakeholders, such as police unions and business associations.
Question 3: Would the operation of this action, program, or initiative create (net) public value?
- Weiner & Vining's research on backward mapping can be used to evaluate the program's potential impact on crime rates, social justice metrics, and community trust in law enforcement.
- The memo should present a balanced analysis of the program's potential costs and benefits, considering both financial resources and public safety outcomes.
Additional Considerations: