The Role of Non-Profits in Public Safety
Future Trends for Growth
by George Davis
Safe and Secure Detroit, Inc.
The Non-Profit sector is in a position to expand its influence as a leader in Crime Prevention and Public Safety in Southeastern Michigan. This position comes from a unique set of factors:
1. The growth of non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) as public safety agencies providing direct services and/or policy initiatives.
2. The shrinking capacity for governments to handle a broad array of public safety services.
3. The increase demand for public safety messages and training to reach individual households.
4. The rise in the not for profit sector in the information based society.
5. The proclivity of private firms seeking to enhance the community through charitable contributions as apart of their business plans.
6. The exportation of regional thinking in the global economy.
The Growth of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s)
NGO’s have become a large part of today’s public safety spectrum. These organizations have increased over the last 30 years, and have emerged in response to the increased need for specialized volunteerism. FEMA relies on numerous NGO’s to help it accomplish its tasks. According to Former FEMA Director James Lee Witt:
“ We do an awful lot of work with the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, VOAD, all the volunteer organizations. They're a critical part of what we do and how we respond, because most of the times, your local Red Cross chapter or your local volunteer organization is right there in that community and they basically respond very quickly with the fire and emergency management and local officials. So that's a big plus for us. They can house people in motels, they can take care of these people very quickly until we get our process set up and move in. So it works extremely well. We could not do our disaster response without them. And if anyone wanted to help, help your volunteer organizations. They need the money and they need the support to help support everything that we respond to.” (National Press Club Luncheon, 11/10/98)
In fact, some 30 NGO’s are included in FEMA’s disaster operations plans, with more added as you get to local levels. This model of NGO’s providing a service is replicated throughout the government, at all levels.
The Criminal Justice system has several NGO partners that hold a wide range of serves to fill service gaps. Here is a partial listing of some of those agencies:
Another major player is the Corporation for National and Community Service. This organization gives grants to help non profits in public safety areas. From their web site:
“The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Members and volunteers serve with national and community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies to help meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. The Corporation is part of USA Freedom Corps, a White House initiative to foster a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility, and help all Americans answer the President's Call to Service.”
The preponderance of evidence shows that nonprofits are playing a more vital role in everyday public safety services. Criminal Justice and other crime and safety matters are being routinely assisted by NGO’s to root out issues that traditional agencies cannot address. Agencies that operate in this vein will be increasingly useful to governments.
DOJ Consent Decrees in Detroit
by George L. Davis, II
Safe and Secure Detroit, Inc.
After many years of complaints from Detroit’s citizens, the Department of Justice has completed its review of the Detroit Police Department and its practices. Many complaints from individual citizenry and the Citizens against Police Brutality, prompted the City Council to pass a resolution calling for federal inquiry into these proceedings. As a result of these efforts, Mayor Dennis Archer wrote a letter to the Justice Department asking for a review of the department. This review commenced in 2000.
As the police department has now been reviewed, the Justice Department has decided to pursue a consent decree judgement against the City of Detroit in federal court. The consent decree is a legal procedure in which two parties agree that changes must occur and the method by which this will happen. It is used most often in OSHA cases where worker safety is jeopardized or EPA cases where communities may be threatened by hazardous chemicals.
Under Attorney General Janet Reno, the Justice department began using these consent decrees to reform police departments who may have not upgraded their operations and policies to reflect modern police methods. Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati all have been placed under consent decrees for various outdated methods. Detroit is latest major city to join the police reform movement under the federal aegis of a consent decrees.
Detroit’s consent decrees deal with the following areas of improvements:
Use of Deadly Force
1. Creates a use of force continuum that includes de-escalation and disengagement from conflict. *
2. Makes a strike to the head considered to be deadly force.
3. All officers must qualify with department issued fire arms every 6 months.*
4. Revises chemical spray usage to include verbal warning.
5. Prohibits spraying a handcuffed person while in police vehicles.
Arrest and Witness Detention Policy Requirements
1. Requires written supervisory review of all arrests for probable cause.
2. Prohibits detention without reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or consent.
3. Requires timely and systematic process for judicial review of warrants.
4. Guarantees access to attorneys, phone calls, and visitors by detainees.
5. Requires court order to take a material witness into custody.*
6. Requires creation of audit friendly records for detainees.*
General provisions
1. All DPD officers must be advised that certain improper actions will be disciplined, including civil liability and/or criminal prosecution.
2. Adequate field supervision for officers.*
3. Requires notification of on duty officers by off duty officers of crimes in progress, when possible.
4. Prohibits off duty officers from taking actions where their ability for objective action may be compromised.
Other Provisions
1. Fire Safety Policies for detection, suppression, and evacuation for all detention areas*
2. Medical and Mental Health Policies for screening of detainees, and appropriate clothing for medical and mental health needs, including potential suicidal detainees.*
3. Regular cell checks.
4. Clean and maintained holding cells. *
5. Air purifiers meeting MIOSHA standards.*
Misconduct
1. Revises procedures of review of misconduct.
2. Enhances supervisory oversight of incidents of prisoner injury, use of force, allegations of the same, and target acquisition to ensure documentation and investigation.*
3. Establishes a risk management system that has a computerized data base.*
4. Requires that supervisors must be trained to use the system across all ranks for evaluation and intervention. *
5. Mandates training for all recruits and officers regarding the decree.
· denotes action that has budget ramifications.
Many of these actions will require budget changes in the upcoming years. It has been conservatively estimated that $100 million will be needed to make these changes a reality. We will have more discussions on the budget impacts in the future. This is just the beginning of the changes for Detroit Police Department. The end result will be a safe and secure community.
I have called for a joint oversight committee to monitor the impact to the overall city budget and to ensure that the city complies with the requirements of the department of Justice. Contact my office if you want more information regarding the consent decrees.
The Health Care Crisis in Detroit
By George L. Davis, II
Safe and Secure Detroit, Inc.
Detroit needs help in maintaining its local hospitals due the increase of health care costs. Our ability to thrive and grow as a city is directly related to the ability to maintain the health and safety of our citizens and visitors to our area. The federal government has recently aided the greater Los Angeles Area in sustaining its medical system by awarding a grant for more than $100 million to stop their downward spiral. We need the same measure in Metro Detroit.
The health care crisis in our city is reaching a critical mass. The potential closing of the only Trauma I center located in our city demonstrates that Detroit needs assistance immediately. It is vital that we not only sustain, but increase our capacity to serve the millions of citizens and visitors in our area.
Many persons were doubtful when the Clinton administration pushed a national health care plan. Now that it has taken root here in Detroit, we can clearly see the matter plainly: The uninsured and the underinsured affect all citizens, regardless of location, race, gender, or creed.
A solution to the Detroit’s Health Care Crisis will include:
· A safety net for the poor and underprivileged shared by all Detroiters.
· A stream of federal funding that increases the capacity of our local hospitals and clinics.
· A Health Authority for Detroit that includes state, county, local, private and public participation.
· A financial monitoring system that identifies concerns and acts as an early warning system for potential issues in Health Care.
· A connection to a well-defined state and national Health Care Policy.
A Fire District For Detroit
By George L. Davis, II, PEM
Safe and Secure Detroit, Inc
Fires in Highland Park have become a spectator event. Currently, due to the city’s financial woes, no paid fire department exists. At best, a few volunteers keep watch over the city while hoping to receive their pensions that they’ve paid into over the years. Yet in the last several months, fires occurring in the city often go beyond the capacity of the department.
The City of Detroit has arguably the best fire department in the state, with a staff of seasoned professionals who have experience in fighting various fires. All most all of the top brass of DFD have 20+ years in firefighting, with many ranking field officers having nearly as many years as well. With 72 units in the city, DFD ‘s response time hovers at about 4 minutes. Not withstanding its needs for constant upgraded equipment, the department does a valiant job in both preventing fires and suppressing them after they start.
Going to help Highland Park fight fires after they have started causes problems for Detroit Fire Department. It exposes them to additional liabilities, and currently no mechanism exists to recoup costs for services rendered. With one basic fire engine costing near $300,000, the need for upgrades and basic upkeep can add up quickly.
I would suggest a “fire district” that includes Detroit and Highland Park. This could be accomplished by an act of the State Legislature, with assistance from the State Fire Marshall, whose duty it is to deal with such issues.
This district would be run by The City of Detroit and provide services to both cities. This would also mean that dollars for such services from state revenue sharing could come to Detroit and supplement the city’s added responsibilities and liabilities.
This solution would improve the quality of life in Highland Park, and give Detroit the added tools to improve the services rendered. This also would be a great step in regional cooperation for public safety, a universal mandate in the post 9/11 area.
It is time to challenge the process with a shared vision of cooperation. We will enable those to act who have the ability to make a difference. We must model the way for Detroit’s safer future by encouraging the hearts of citizens with good policies. This is an idea whose time has come.
Safe and Secure: Urban America
You hear the phrase everyday, everywhere - Homeland Security. Since the arrival of the Bush administration, no other single topic has dominated the news like this one. Even though the economy is on people’s minds, Homeland Security is the talk of the town.
What is it really? Where does it come from? And most importantly, what does it mean to me in Atlanta, Detroit, D.C. etc.? Lets take a look.
Homeland Security is the latest practice that deals with individual safety from external threats. It has 3 older “cousins”, if you will, that you might know- Civil Defense, Emergency Management, and Business Continuity.
Civil Defense started in the 50’s, when we thought we might be on the brink of nuclear war. You might have seen the pictures of school kids practicing getting under the desk, or you might still see buildings that have the yellow and black triangle designating a bomb shelter. Depending on your age, you may have been in these drills years ago. The warning sirens that go off periodically in your area are from this time period. Not to mention that ever-occurring sound from the Emergency Broadcast System on your TV and radio (this is only a test). These things were designed to help people in case someone dropped the bomb on us.
Emergency Management you may not recognize at first, but it’s the stuff that FEMA embodies- recovery from floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other major disasters. This emerged in the late 80’s and 90’s, especially in California due to the wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and mudslides. It got its legs on big emergencies- Three Mile Island, Hurricane Andrew, Oklahoma City, and the Cuban Refugee crisis. Much of what happens here is the coordination of what happens after a crisis starts- and how do you help the people who are affected. Your local fire department, the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army are prominent organizations in this effort.
Business Continuity became big with the Y2K preparations, and focuses on information technology security. How does your business continue to operate if critical data is destroyed by a computer virus? Can you still operate if you have no electricity due to a storm or power outage? How much money does your corporation lose if your headquarters is destroyed by a fire or tornado? How do we keep servicing our customers in the time of crisis? These questions all businesses, large or small, need to be answered.
Homeland Security is the law enforcement portion of all these efforts. It simply means all law enforcement agencies must share info to prevent terror and crime, or catch them soon after. The local police, county sheriffs, and Federal Agencies didn’t really compare notes regularly. All of that is over now. After 9/11, they are sharing even the smallest of details on everyone.
What this means to Urban America is that you are safer from terrorists, but your own house better be in order, too.
Driver’s licenses, outstanding tickets, and warrants need to be dealt with, so that you don’t get caught up. Background checks for jobs will become more extensive, and, unfortunately, your African name might cause a second look from some people who are closed-minded.
Don’t fret, however. Knowledge wins out every time over ignorance, so just be prepared.
Ø Keep your proper I.D. on you at all times, and have back up copies for you and your children.
Ø Gain a basic understanding of the laws in your community. Most places have free legal advice centers to help you know what is lawful.
Ø Get to know your police in your community. Get active in Community Policing programs.
Ø Clear up outstanding tickets and any associated warrants as soon as possible. Most courts will create arrangements with you where possible.
Ø Get your tags and license plates in order before your birthday. (You know who you are.)
Ø Fill out applications for jobs or other items as accurately as possible. Leave no doubts for potential employers.
Ø If you travel out of the country, check with the state department for travel warnings and advisories. Keep your passport updated, and use good judgment in your associations with other travelers.
These are just a few tips to keep you safe and secure in the days ahead. An ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure.
George L. Davis, II, P.E.M.
Mr. Davis is a certified Professional Emergency Manager through FEMA, and a former Public Policy Analyst of Public Safety for the City of Detroit