[Editor’s Note: Mr. Harris Dawson is in his first months as a member of the Los Angeles City Council, representing District 8, neighborhoods of South Los Angeles.]
We have seen this far too often.
The tragic death of an innocent young black male whose life was taken too soon at the hands of an ill-timed police shooting, eliciting a mass protest, a passionate plea by black leaders to reform our criminal justice system and combat the structural racism embedded in police departments across the nation.
This summer in cities across the country and here in Los Angeles, we saw a dramatic increase in homicides in our community.
We need to take a serious look at the disproportionate murders of black men caused by gang violence.
We need to move to sound prevention and interventions strategies that will save lives.
LAPD’s 77th Division, in the district I represent, has reported the highest number of homicides, 43 murders. Almost all victims were young black men. They died at the hands of other black men. Nationally, the FBI found that black-on-black violence accounted for 91 percent of homicides vs. only 9 percent for white-on-black violence and black violence that involved other groups.
Taking a Wrong Turn
After years of a steady decline in crime, by early September, LAPD reported a 7 percent increase in the number of people killed in Los Angeles in comparison to last year. Yet on a national level, other major cities have outpaced Los Angeles with year-to-year sharp increases in murder rates — 56 percent in Baltimore, 60 percent in St. Louis. Experts say the high rates directly correlate to unemployment and a lack of opportunities for youth.
While homicide rates in Los Angeles have been significantly lower than other major cities, we must do more to prevent bloodshed on our streets. Nationally, and in Los Angeles, it is time to rethink our approach to urban violence.
I am proposing larger investments in proven programs that prevent crime as well as effective interventions when we see troubling trends emerging. Equally important is engaging community members where the problems are, gathering information from those most affected by the violence.
Two weeks ago, I convened an emergency meeting of 400 South L.A. residents to talk about the surge in shootings. Families who have lost loved ones, intervention workers, LAPD and clergy all talked about how the recent homicides have affected their sense of safety, a need for new policing measures to be implemented, and how they can be a part of the solution.
This was a true cry for action and leadership on this issue.
With respect to the city’s crime levels, one reason our city has been able to maintain lower homicide rates, is the city’s gang intervention movement.
Peacekeepers on the front lines who can suppress disputes between gangs in ways that police are unable to, intervene when tensions run high. Their immeasurable impact is critical to restoring peace. We must do more to expand their impact.
Along with gang interventionists, there been a long history of activism in the community with individuals like Gerald Thompson and Khalid Shaw. They have been on the front lines. They have worked with South L.A. youth to reduce violent crimes altogether. These community heroes do not always garner press coverage, but they should be heralded in the community for their work.
The city as a whole needs more resources to target programs that save lives. Some successful community-based policing programs have made a significant impact in the past 25 years such as LAPD’s Community Safety Partnership. This is an intensive experiment in community- oriented policing in four housing developments that reduced crime and is supported by law enforcement and community members. I was told these programs come at a high cost for taxpayers.
For me, though, no dollar amount is more significant than saving a life.
To begin this dialogue, I have asked that the LAPD, City Atty. Mike Feuer, and Mayor Garcetti’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development to provide a report with comprehensive recommendations to stop these shootings as well as how we can incorporate community-based policing strategies more broadly throughout the effected communities.
I have asked that our intervention agencies convene monthly to provide progress reports and report on additional strategies that need to be employed.
To prevent further loss of life, it will take an innovative, holistic approach where law enforcement, interventionists and the community work in tandem with each other to rebuild South L.A.
Mr. Harris- Dawson, represents Council District 8, which encompasses parts of South Los Angeles. He is the co-Chair of the Homelessness and Poverty Committee and Vice-Chair of the Planning and Land Use Management Committee.
