Law enforcement in North Carolina faces rising challenges, from mental health response to opioid deaths, but agencies are innovating with alternative responder programs and data-driven solutions to build safer, more equitable communities.

The violence interrupter strategy is a unique approach that enables individuals who have had experiences with gangs and violence to act as mentors and guides to at-risk youth. It provides a way to build trust and rapport with young people who may resist law enforcement efforts.

  Violent crime rose in North Carolina from 2018-2020, then slightly dropped in 2021. This comes after a steady decline in violent crime in the early to mid-2000s. It has many communities grappling with how to make their neighborhoods safer. … Read more

During 2020-2021, resignations among police officers nationwide increased by 18% when compared to previous years. During the same period, retirements among officers increased by nearly 50%, while new officers hired decreased by 5%. Efforts around North Carolina to alleviate police staffing shortages focus on better preparing and training future officers and placing emphasis on the community service aspects of the position. 

Gates & Henderson Counties Schools are grappling with the topic of school safety from a number of different angles, including increasing school mental health personnel and services, increasing security measures at schools, and decreasing incidents of bullying. ncIMPACT highlights the … Read more

Duplin & Watauga Counties Police departments across the U.S. are battling an officer shortage. Recruiters blame the hot job market and skepticism about law enforcement as a career choice. ncIMPACT highlights local solutions that are attracting qualified applicants to pursue … Read more

Studies have shown exclusionary discipline practices are ineffective at improving student behavior and disproportionately impact students of color and students with disabilities. School Justice Partnerships are designed to reduce the use of exclusionary discipline and student contact with the justice system. 

The issue of community and police relations acquired a great deal of public attention in recent years. In 2017, Mayor Sammy Phillips of Jacksonville, NC launched the “One City, Our City, My City” campaign to promote respect, caring, and collaboration among the community. The Jacksonville Police Department adjusted their training and review procedures around use of force incidents and decreased their use of force numbers from 103 instances in 2012 to 23 instances in 2018.

Elder abuse is a growing problem in the United States, with about 10% of elder adults abused in some way each year. Learn about how UNC School of Government faculty formed the North Carolina Elder Protection Network, and how Johnston County assembled a multidisciplinary team to combat elder abuse.

Exclusionary discipline practices – including suspensions, expulsions, and referrals to the courts – negatively impact both students and their communities. Students of color and students with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by these practices as they are more likely to be suspended, expelled, and referred to court. In North Carolina, school-based referrals make up about 40% of the referrals to the juvenile justice system. Most of these referrals are for minor, nonviolent offenses. In the 2016-2017 school year, 92% of school-based referrals were for misdemeanors.