Michael Fortune

Welcome to another episode of the Fortune Factor podcast, where we dive into the issues that truly matter.

Today, we're tackling a powerful phrase, communities deserve safety, not occupation.

This statement calls for an urgent reevaluation of how we think about safety in our neighborhoods, highlighting the need for protective measures over oppressive ones.

Let's start with the state of policing in America.

particularly as highlighted in the recent report from Communities United for Police Reform and the Tuney Public Science Project.

They surveyed over 3,300 people living in some of New York City's most heavily policed neighborhoods.

The results were alarming.

Over 70% of these residents reported experiencing harm from the NYPD.

These findings challenge the idea that traditional police presence equates to safety.

In many cases, it doesn't.

People are longing for support systems that genuinely protect them, rather than control or oppress.

Organizations like the American Friends Service Committee

push for reallocating funds from policing to social services like housing and education, arguing that we could redirect the over $100 billion spent on policing every year towards addressing fundamental social issues, ultimately creating real safety in our communities.

This conversation isn't limited to domestic contexts.

Looking globally, the call for an end to occupations rings true in many places, such as the ongoing concerns regarding the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

Partners for Dignity and Rights emphasize peace and justice for all, underscoring that safety is a universal right that should not be held hostage by imposed control.

Now let's consider what community-led safety looks like.

Innovative organizations like the Center for Justice Innovation encourage residents to take an active role in creating their own safety measures through community justice initiatives.

By focusing on restorative approaches rather than punitive measures, these initiatives aim to build trust and resilience within communities.

This contrasts sharply with the militarized policing tactics that can create divisions and escalate tensions rather than resolve them.