This discussion, the first of three virtual events led by The New York Times' Ashley Southall, examines the programs and techniques that activists and organizations in New York City and beyond have used to foster safety in their communities without police involvement. From practicing violence interruption to advocating for policies that directly address contributors to gun violence, the discussion features pathbreaking experts who have worked on the front lines and behind the scenes to reimagine safety for all.

This is the first of three events in our new series, Envisioning Alternatives to Policing. Learn more about the series here. 

About the Speakers:

Thomas Abt teaches, studies, and writes about the use of evidence-informed approaches to address urban violence and other public safety problems. He is the author of Bleeding Out: The Devastating Consequences of Urban Violence - and a Bold New Plan for Peace in the Streets, published by Basic Books in June 2019. Abt is a Senior Fellow with the Council on Criminal Justice in Washington, DC, where he directs the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice. Prior to the Council, he served as a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy and Law Schools. Before that, he held leadership positions in the New York Governor's Office and the U.S. Department of Justice. Abt’s work has been featured in major media outlets, including the Atlantic, the Economist, Foreign Affairs, the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and National Public Radio. His TED talk on curbing violent street crime has received over 165,000 views.

Erica Ford has dedicated her life to the liberation of her people from oppression & racism. Her journey began on December 12, 1987 with the December 12th Movement and she hasn’t looked back. She is a humble servant for her people. As CEO & Co-Founder of LIFE Camp, Inc she has played a major role in transforming New York City as an architect for the city’s Crisis Management System, The New York City Mobile Trauma Units, & New York City Peace Week. She will continue to dedicate her LIFE to youth & the total liberation of her people until her last breath.

Ashley Southall (moderator) is a law enforcement reporter focused on crime and policing in New York City, a beat she started working in 2016. She joined The Times in 2008 as a news clerk in the newspaper's Washington bureau. Southall is an alumna of Howard University and an Alabamian.

Tickets for this event are donation-based. 

Free! Donation Suggested.

Registration Required. 

This event listing provided for the New York community events calendar. Community events are not associated with or sponsored by AARP, but may be of interest to you. If you have an event to share, let us know!

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