Police Operations Archives

“Toledo police release body camera video from fatal block party shooting”

At first glance this may not appear to be the type of article that would be posted here on Secure 1776, as this site seeks a higher-level focus than a single shooting incident. However, this incident from 4 July 2021 in Toledo, Ohio connects to several key points nationally. [Click the link to read more | 17 Jul 2021]

“From Broken Windows to Broken Streets”

Nicole Gelinas writes about an interview with the late criminologist George Kelling “half a decade ago” that focused on Broken Windows Theory. The analysis is insightful relative to the fundamental role of the community in public safety and how policing is impacted when community involvement is low. [Click the link to read more | 23 Jun 2021]

“The way forward must be one with broad outreach across community partners. As a community, we need our elected and civic leaders to foster unifying approaches that advance constitutional policing, reduce violence, address chronic crime conditions, improve public safety, protect victims, foster wellness, and enhance community support for the police. Those seeking and participating in police reform efforts must not lose sight of these core elements. As a profession, it is essential that we fully reawaken our community policing roots, and engage in active problem-solving directly with all community residents and stakeholders. Policing must honestly seek to reach the hearts and minds of the community and call them to action. If we seek to regain the support necessary for our police departments to meet their public safety mission – the voices of support for the police must be heard from across the community of us.”

— Thomas J. Lemmer