Home → CHAPTER VIII — CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

CHAPTER VIII — CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

A Safer, Fairer, Data-Driven America Worthy of the Rule of Law

Introduction

Public safety is a foundational obligation of any functioning state. Without safety:

At the same time, justice must be fair, humane, transparent, and accountable. When laws are enforced unevenly—or when punishments are disconnected from evidence—communities lose faith in institutions. When trust erodes, cooperation collapses.

America has long struggled with this duality:

This chapter charts a path toward a safer, fairer, evidence-driven system that:

Our core commitments:

We do not “defund” safety. We do not tolerate abuse. We do not accept high crime. We do not treat human beings as disposable. We do not ignore evidence. We do not lie to ourselves about what works.

We build public safety the same way we build aviation safety: with data, humility, professionalism, and continuous learning.

1. The Foundations of Public Safety

1.1 Safety Is an Equity Issue

Violent crime disproportionately harms:

The injustice is profound: Communities already facing economic hardship also face the highest levels of personal danger.

Public safety is the first rung on the ladder of opportunity.

1.2 Evidence Over Ideology

The criminal justice debate is dominated by slogans:

None of these are serious strategies. None match the data. None scale nationally.

We commit to methods validated by:

Where evidence is not yet clear, we invest in research and pilot programs — not wishful thinking.

1.3 Policing as a Profession

Policing can be:

A modern system must:

Policing should be a skilled craft — like aviation — built on data, continuous training, and integrity.

2. Evidence-Based Policing

2.1 Hot Spots Policing

Studies show that 3–5% of city blocks generate 50%+ of violent crime. Targeting these hot spots with visible, professional policing:

This is not over-policing; it is precision policing.

2.2 Focused Deterrence

Focused deterrence programs (e.g., Boston Ceasefire) combine:

Results include:

This approach recognizes that a small number of individuals account for a disproportionate share of violence — and that many want a way out.

2.3 Problem-Oriented Policing

POP focuses on:

Examples:

This model treats crime like any other system failure: fix upstream causes.

2.4 Procedural Justice

Police legitimacy increases when officers:

Procedural justice reduces crime and improves cooperation.

3. Ending Civil Asset Forfeiture

3.1 The Problem

Civil forfeiture allows agencies to seize property without a criminal conviction. This is:

It is incompatible with rule of law.

3.2 The Reform

We propose:

End civil asset forfeiture. All forfeiture must be conviction-based.

Key standards:

This returns America to constitutional norms.

4. Abolishing Private Prisons

4.1 Why Private Prisons Fail

Evidence shows:

Incarceration should never be a profit center.

4.2 The Policy

5. Rehabilitation & Reentry

5.1 What Works

Evidence supports:

Recidivism is not destiny — it is a solvable design problem.

5.2 Correctional Education

Every $1 spent on prison education yields $4–$5 in benefits through reduced recidivism.

We propose:

5.3 Reentry Systems

We commit to:

6. Modernizing Use of Force, Training & Accountability

6.1 Use of Force Standards

We propose:

6.2 Training Modernization

Combine:

Ongoing, not one-time.

6.3 Officer Support

Officer well-being is public safety.

7. Behavioral Health: Crisis and Prevention

7.1 Integration With Policing

Police should not be mental health first responders by default.

We propose:

8. Victims’ Rights and Services

8.1 Supporting Victims

Victims deserve more than symbolic sympathy—they deserve support.

9. Juvenile Justice Reform

9.1 Adolescents Are Not Fully Formed Adults

Neuroscience is unambiguous:

…continue developing into the 20s.

We propose:

10. Critiques & Responses

10.1 From the Left

Critique: “More police means more harm.” Response: Evidence shows targeted, procedurally just policing reduces crime without increasing harm.

Critique: “Accountability measures don’t go far enough.” Response: We mandate national standards, transparency, and independent investigations.

Critique: “Ending private prisons isn’t enough.” Response: Combined with rehabilitation, reentry, and education investments, this platform changes outcomes—not slogans.

10.2 From the Right

Critique: “This system is too soft.” Response: Violent offenders face firm consequences. Rehabilitation is not softness; it is reducing future crime.

Critique: “Ending civil forfeiture weakens enforcement tools.” Response: Civil forfeiture violates constitutional norms and encourages abuse.

Critique: “More oversight will demoralize police.” Response: Professionalism, transparency, and training increase respect for policing.

11. Metrics for Success

12. Implementation Timeline

Years 1–2

Years 3–5

Years 6–10

13. What Success Looks Like in 20 Years

By 2045:

Safety is the foundation of freedom. Freedom is the foundation of prosperity. Prosperity is the foundation of national greatness.

This is the public safety vision of the United States of Awesome.