Experts Online - Improving Safety in Immigrant Communities

Date Published: 05/23/2007

Author: LISC

Reducing and preventing crime in neighborhoods with diverse immigrant populations is a uniquely challenging endeavor. Often the sheer number of languages spoken by residents can hinder broad-based community organizing and positive police-community interaction. In addition, immigrants who fear deportation or recall negative experiences with law enforcement in their countries of origin may be reluctant to report crime or otherwise work with police to improve neighborhood safety.

Many police departments assign community liaisons with specific cultural or linguistic expertise, but this strategy alone is bound to have limited impact. What more can police departments do? How can community organizations help? This archived webcast discussion highlights the perspective of a senior police executive on policies, practices and partnerships that can improve policing in immigrant communities. Community developers who have partnered with police on this issue discuss their role in crafting effective collaborative strategies with police and community members.

Experts:

  • Sharon Lubinski, Assistance Chief of Police, Minneapolis Police Department (Minneapolis, MN)
  • Virgil Domaoan, Neighborhood Business District Manager, White Center Community Development Association (Seattle, WA)
  • Colleen Daley Ndoye, Barton Street Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator, Pawtucket Citizens Development Corporation (Pawtucket, RI)

Moderator:

  • Julia Ryan, Program Director, LISC’s Community Safety Initiative

Who Would Be Interested

  • CDC executive directors, staff, board members
  • Police officers and other law enforcement

Download Session Materials

> Public Safety in Immigrant Communities Information and Strategy Resources List (Word, 79 KB)

> Presentation Packet (PDF, 2.49 MB)
> Presentation Multimedia (ZIP, 7.52 MB)

Archive:
This session is available as streaming video/audio on KnowledgePlex's website here.

Topic: --Community Safety

Type: Live Webcast - Experts Online