Coalition Partner Update # 2
Building Partnership & Coalition
SafeBR continues to grow. Nearly 220 organizations and individuals have formally committed to join the collaborative effort. A list of partners can be found at safebr.org/join. Please forward the link to interested organizations and individuals who might be interested in supporting the coalition and learning new ways to get involved as the coalition begins its work.
Fundraising & Support
SafeBR is resourcing a 3-year funding strategy to leverage $65M toward the 3 Pillars of focus (~$50M in public funding and $15M in private investment). To date, we have identified over $7M for SafeBR and urge supporters to contact us to make a pledge or go online to safebr.org/support to contribute.
In the coming months we look forward to sharing opportunities to engage, support initiatives, gather data, and much more. While SafeBR is not responsible for Public Safety, we believe through your partnership we will drive focused investment of time and resources into making our community safer.
Core Pillar Updates
SafeBR will spark immediate action while building long-term solutions to support community safety, focusing on solutions that drive the three pillars of SafeBR:
Pillar 1.
New resources for law enforcement to enhance new and existing strategies proven effective in stopping violent crime as well as individual assistance for first responders injured in the line of duty.
Inspiration Center
The Inspiration Center project is very close to being launched. More information will be provided in the next Partner update about a ribbon cutting and announcement related to the construction of the new facility at Howell Park.
Representatives from the SafeBR Steering Group participated in a field trip to Atlanta, GA recently to see a project similar to the Inspiration Center and its impact on their respective communities. The Atlanta Police Foundation has built the At Promise Initiative (At-Promise Initiative | Atlanta Police Foundation) with the goal of reducing youth crime by diverting susceptible young people from
criminal activity toward a productive life outside the criminal justice system. The Inspiration Center planning team sees the positive effect At-Promise Centers are having in the Atlanta Metro area and are confident their Inspiration Center initiative will do the same.
Page-Rice Camera Initiative
As reported in our first update, over 50 cameras were purchased and are being placed in multiple Metro Council districts thanks to over $200,000 in funds raised in support of this effort; $87,000 from businesses alone! The initiative is working with the Baton Rouge Police Department, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office and the ATF to identify the top crime hot spots and the businesses nearest those intersections to donate cameras to those worst, most urgent locations.
This week, 8 additional cameras have been greenlighted for installation in the Tigerland and Gardere areas. The Baton Rouge Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Foundation is accepting requests to be considered to receive a camera at no cost through its grant program and collecting donations for additional community cameras. Please access the Page-Rice link on the SafeBR website to learn more (Support — SafeBR).
Pillar 2.
Community investment in evidence-based strategies to disrupt the cycle of crime and violence.
City-Parish Seminar and Field Trip
On March 6-9th, BR stakeholders from public safety initiatives participated in a planning workshop hosted by Cities United and funded by the CAPS/Ballmer Group Foundation. SafeBR representatives were invited and joined the team that traveled to Louisville, KY in an effort to better coordinate and plan this work. SafeBR collected valuable information and strategic ideas to bring back to their Working Group.
This process and the work of this Working Group will be the spark of a comprehensive community investment plan. More information on the type of work being developed can be found here: Cities United Resource
Truancy update
SafeBR is currently working to understand the data around Truancy with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System Leadership and other community leaders. SafeBR will explore proven strategies to deal with this Region-wide issue while helping drive data-driven solutions to the issues.
Pillar 3.
Accountability and transparency for the entire system of justice and our collective investments
As the Coalition Working Groups begin formation, more details related to Pillar 3 will be shared with you. Stay tuned!
Structure
In the last two weeks, SafeBR has been hard at work formulating a working structure for the coalition and initiating steps to begin the planning process for the work over the next 3 years.
Presently, Coalition working groups are being defined, including initial steps and areas of focus. The goal will be to continue to clarify how SafeBR can bring value/unity/synthesization with other evidence-based initiatives and efforts already being deployed or developed in the Capital Region. Very soon, as a SafeBR partner, you will learn ways to be further involved should you or your business/organization have interest.
Additionally, the Coalition is planning a SafeBR Partner event in May where the Steering Group and community leaders will provide more robust reports and updates demonstrating the impact of our effort since launch.
Thank you for your continued support!
Relevant Articles and Information:
Omaha Nebraska Gun Violence Model
Teen arrested in slaying of St. Amant High Student
11 year old dead after shooting near Crestway Avenue
Baton Rouge school fights lead to protest and safety debate
Father shares heartbreaking message on 6 month anniversary of Allie Rice's death