Eye on the world: Lifting up the lost and unlocking their potential

In “The Big Apple’s big drop in crimeThe Christian Science Monitor reports that the largest city in the United States has experienced a significant drop in crime as the result of a fundamental shift in the thinking behind policing. The nation’s largest police department has experienced success in fighting crime “by asking the right question, even if it is an odd one: Are you fighting criminals—or crime?” In law enforcement today, making “a distinction between action and actor is not seen as odd. And this might help explain why New York has achieved one of the lowest crimes rates the city has ever seen.” Investing in a person by lifting them out of a life of criminal activity is yielding fruitful results. Reorienting the motive behind policing has allowed law enforcement to connect with the communities they serve, garnering support in a collective effort to reduce crime. “This community-focused approach allows police to more easily pinpoint the most habitual lawbreakers and then confront them with a choice: Either be arrested or seek help for their problems, such as job training, counseling, or mentoring. The key is choice.” As this Monitor story explains, effectively fighting crime isn’t accomplished solely by locking up criminals, but by lifting up communities into good and enriching lives.

Ideas on this subject:

From the Bible:

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit