In a groundbreaking initiative, a Miami nonprofit organization, Circle of Brotherhood, has been hired to provide security for a Liberty City public housing project, marking a significant shift in the approach to community policing in Miami. The organization’s focus on community policing, rather than traditional security measures, aims to reduce crime and foster positive relationships in the community.
Background and Partnership
The Liberty City public housing development, Buena Vista, has employed the nonprofit, Circle of Brotherhood, since December, as part of a broader effort to address the issues of crime and violence in the community. The organization was formally announced at a news conference earlier this month, coinciding with the graduation ceremony of the University of Chicago’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy.
“…If community violence intervention becomes an equal part of the public safety ecosystem, we can drastically reduce crime and violence,”
said Lyle Muhammad, executive director of Circle of Brotherhood, who is also a graduate of the leadership academy. “We know. We have a formula that works.”
Circle of Brotherhood was created in 2013, with the primary goal of addressing gun violence in Miami through community service, conflict resolution, and educational services. The organization is led predominantly by Black men and has been recognized for its innovative approach to community policing.
Challenges and Opportunities
In recent years, Buena Vista residents have faced significant challenges, including poor living conditions and rampant crime. The 214-unit property is home to nearly 300 people and has worked with nonprofits like Overtown Youth Center to provide family and youth-centered services.
When private security firms declined to provide security at the public housing development, the property manager joined with Joined Development to hire Circle of Brotherhood. “They are trusting a new process of reforming and transforming a community and not just doing business as usual,”
Muhammad said. “We are not there in antagonistic policing mode. We are there to serve,” he said.
The organization’s security guards, known as community safety servants, work in three shifts, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., and 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., with three people assigned to each shift. They are trained to engage in deescalation tactics during confrontations and build community.
Successes and Future Plans
In the three months since Circle of Brotherhood took over security, Muhammad reported successes in reducing crime and improving community relations. However, the organization’s focus goes beyond just deescalating crime; it also prioritizes engaging with the community and treating individuals with respect.
During Spring Break, the organization offered a week of activities, including swimming and field trips, to build trust and foster positive relationships within the community.
Muhammad emphasized the importance of community engagement and respect in achieving the organization’s goals. “The respect of the credible messengers and the individuals that we have, coupled with their training, allows us to, prayerfully, be able to always respond appropriately,”
he said.
This innovative approach to community policing has the potential to transform the way communities interact with law enforcement and address issues of crime and violence.
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