CJ205 Project Three-the relationship between societal needs and professional practice

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Southern New Hampshire University *

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205

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Sociology

Date

Jun 14, 2024

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docx

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7

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Los Angeles County, California, encompasses a vibrant mix of cultures, economic opportunities, and, unfortunately, a staggering homelessness crisis. LA County faces the profound challenge of accommodating over 90,000 homeless individuals in a city that exceeds ten million residents with an expansive area of 4,084 square miles (about the area of Connecticut). Within this large county, Los Angeles harbors Skid Row, a neighborhood comprising fifty square blocks plagued by homelessness, crime, and complex social issues. Amidst this backdrop, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the third-largest police department in the nation, grapples with maintaining order in Skid Row and its surrounding areas. Since the late 1990s, Downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row has undergone private and state- sanctioned policing practices within the fifty-block neighborhood. These policing practices are fueled by increased commercial and real-estate development to dispossess and contain the mostly Black homeless and housed residents. Grassroots organizations and residents have responded to gentrification-induced policing by claiming a homeless right to property, transforming neighborhood politics. (Dozier, 2019, p. 179)  The following plan explores the dynamics of policing in the context of homelessness in LA, with key aspects such as police legitimacy and public trust, public opinion and procedural justice, community policing, and policing adaptations. Relationship between Police Legitimacy and Public Trust   Issues of public trust:  o The enforcement of anti-camping laws and disposal of property on Skid Row has eroded public trust, leading to negative perceptions, especially among the homeless population. The community perceives these actions as unjust, leading to a breakdown in trust.
Addressing issues of public trust to enhance police legitimacy:  o LAPD needs to develop community outreach programs to engage with the community, local businesses, and the homeless population to understand the concerns and perspectives. o Implement policing strategies that prioritize collaboration and problem- solving over punitive measures. o Encourage officers to use discretion when dealing with a homeless person based on individual circumstances. o Conduct training programs for officers to enhance empathy, cultural competence, and communication skills. o Establish clear guidelines for when and how discretion should be exercised with an emphasis on rehabilitation and supportive measures. Influence of Procedural Justice on Public Opinion   Positive Public Opinion through Procedural Justice:  o Implement procedural justice principles by treating homeless people with dignity and respect, involving them in decision-making processes, and ensuring fairness during interactions. This can create a more positive public perception and gain trust from the homeless community. o Engage the community in important dialogues that affect them and explain the reasoning behind policing strategies, to build support and understanding. Police Transparency and Accountability helps to enhance Procedural Justice Principles: 
o To enhance transparency, share information on policing strategies, goals, and outcomes related to homelessness.  o Implement technology strategies for accountability, such as BWCs (Body Worn Cameras) and data-driven performance metrics. o Share success stories and collaborative efforts to further enhance public opinion. Community Policing Concepts and Principles   Principles of Community Policing:  o Establish problem-solving partnerships between the police and the community. o Focus on decentralization and more empowerment for the community.  o Engage the community in collaboration to enhance police legitimacy. Value of community policing:   o It emphasizes a comprehensive approach to public safety that focuses on prevention rather than just responding to incidents. o This will enhance trust, communication, and collaboration between the police and the community. Application to homelessness issues through community policing:  o Develop problem-solving initiatives to address the root causes of homelessness and improve overall community well-being. o The LAPD should actively engage with local organizations, social services, and residents to develop comprehensive solutions to foster a sense of partnership and shared responsibility.
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Changes in Professional Policing Practice:   Past LAPD tactics:  o Strong punitive measures were in place which enforced anti-camping laws.  o There was a limited focus on addressing the underlying issues that contributed to homelessness. o A comprehensive approach and cultural competence were not part of the training. The strategy that these past tactics show:  o The policing strategies reflected in past LAPD tactics can be associated with traditional-policing or a tough-on-crime approach. o This approach emphasizes strict enforcement of specific laws, such as anti-camping laws. o These tactics prioritized immediate order and compliance over addressing the root causes or underlying issues contributing to homelessness. A Newly Adopted Policing Strategy:  o There has been a shift towards community-oriented and problem-solving approaches. o Increased collaboration with social services, mental health professionals, and community organizations. o More emphasis is on diversion programs, rehabilitation, and support services for the homeless population.
By adopting a community policing lens and implementing this comprehensive community plan, the LAPD can rebuild public trust, enhance community-public relations, and address the complex issue of homelessness in Los Angeles. Through collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to procedural justice, the LAPD can collaborate with the community to create lasting solutions and improve the well-being of the community with an emphasis on the homeless community.
References: Dozier, D. (2019). Contested Development: Homeless Property, Police Reform, and Resistance in Skid Row, LA.  International Journal of Urban & Regional Research 43 (1), 179–194. https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1111/1468-2427.12724 Marcin, S. (2014, November 4). Policing the homeless: One community’s strategy . FBI. https://leb.fbi.gov/articles/featured-articles/policing-the-homeless-one-communitys- strategy Thompson, M. (2015, December). Law enforcement is a critical component of the coordinated effort to end homelessness . The Beat. https://cops.usdoj.gov/html/dispatch/12-2015/le_critical_to_end_homelessness.asp Vitale, A. S. (2010). The safer cities initiative and the removal of the homeless: reducing crime or promoting gentrification on los angeles' skid row.   Criminology and Public Policy, 9(4),   867-874. https://heinonline-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/HOL/Page? handle=hein.journals/crpp9&div=83&collection=journals          
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