In times like these, it can feel like our legislative leaders are placing more emphasis on the militarization of our police, instead of investments in community safety. It can feel like the priority is the criminalization and harassment of our Black and Brown neighbors, instead of public safety investments that protect and support our communities. 

MomsRising is committed to uplifting the stories of our members across America and highlighting legislation that will truly transform communities and invest in real change. “A Safe Future For All: Investing In REAL Community Safety” dives into the topics of community safety by elevating the work being done by local programs addressing the root causes of harm, poverty, trauma, and mental illnesses. These solutions to community safety demonstrate that, with federal funding, similar programs can help underserved communities. These are not “soft on crime” strategies. They are serious, evidence-based approaches to public safety. They work because they meet people where they are with empathy, expertise, and effective and practical support.

HERE IS A DOWNLOADABLE VERSION OF THE STORYBOOK

This storybook highlights current federal legislation that, if passed, would truly transform communities. These include: 

• The People’s Response Act would create a new Division on Community Safety at the Department of Health and Human Services to fund and coordinate public health approaches to safety nationwide.

• The Mental Health Justice Act would fund state and local programs that send trained health professionals, not police, to mental health emergencies.

• The Break the Cycle of Violence Act would invest in community violence intervention programs proven to reduce shootings and homicides.

• The Counseling Not Criminalization Act would redirect federal funds from school police to counselors, mental health staff, and restorative justice programs. 

In the discussion of how to address community safety, it's pivotal to understand the epidemic of a lack of school counselors in public schools. The data shows us that 1.7 million students are in schools with police, but no counselors, and 10 million students are in schools with police. Fourteen million students are in schools with police but no counselor, nurse, psychologist, or social worker. Many states reported two to three times as many police officers in schools as social workers, and five states reported more police officers in schools than nurses. This is unacceptable.

Research consistently demonstrates that the presence of police in schools serves as an entry point to the school-to-prison pipeline and disproportionately harms Black, Indigenous, and Latinx students; students with disabilities; and marginalized students. When developing this storybook, our team spoke with young people who are currently experiencing the real effects of police presence in schools. They are their stories and provide solutions for a future that protects students and creates safe learning environments.

In addition to these incredible stories, this storybook includes over 150 comments and stories from MomsRising members all across the United States. These members share their accounts with police in their communities, police in schools, solutions to systemic policing problems, and solutions to make their communities safeter. 

HERE IS A DOWNLOADABLE VERSION OF THE STORYBOOK!

As we look to the new year, we must continue working to make community safety the top priority for legislators. We must protect our communities and continue to fight against the degrading, xenophobic, and racist rhetoric that harms our Black and Brown neighbors. Together, we will make our voices heard and create the change we want to see.