Streetwork In The Post-Ferguson Era: Relations Between Ex-Prisoner Outreach Workers And The Police

• In Event: Community Policing in Practice in Comparative Contexts

Abstract

Few studies have examined the experiences and opinions of community-based violence prevention and reduction efforts, like street-worker programs, with regards to the issue of police misconduct. These street worker programs are typically comprised of former criminally involved individuals forging mentoring relationships with at-risk youth in an attempt to prevent and/or reduce violent crime. The use of community based violence prevention efforts to reduce crime is well established, and their popularity in high crime communities have increased over the past two decades. In recent years the issues of police misconduct and excessive use of force, primarily in communities of color, have spurred vigorous debate. Much of this debate has centered on the issues of police legitimacy, over-policing, and rising violent crime. The present study, however, draws from a number of qualitative data sources which taken together provide an understanding of how community-based violence prevention organizations perceive the current crisis in policing and how these perceptions inform their work and relations with law enforcement officials in their communities. Our findings may shed some light on how the relationship between law enforcement and community outreach workers can serve to bridge the gap between communities of color and law enforcement agencies.

Authors

• Brian A. Wade, Rutgers University

• Shadd Maruna, Rutgers University