Washington, D.C. — Today, the Center for American Progress proudly welcomes Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles to CAP’s Mayors for Smart on Crime initiative. The initiative features mayors from 12 cities nationwide who are rejecting outdated and ineffective “tough on crime” policies in favor of smart, equitable, and fair public safety approaches. Ed Chung, the vice president for Criminal Justice Reform at the Center for American Progress, released the following statement:
The Center for American Progress is pleased to announce the addition of Mayor Eric Garcetti to our Mayors for Smart on Crime initiative.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Garcetti has championed efforts to build relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. In 2015, the mayor founded the Los Angeles Police Department’s Community Relationship Division, a unit dedicated to fostering trust through resident outreach and engagement. Mayor Garcetti also led the expansion of a successful community policing initiative that has been credited with reducing violent crime by more than 50 percent in affected areas.
CAP is proud to support Mayor Garcetti in advancing efforts for effective, just, and comprehensive approaches to public safety.
In addition to Mayor Garcetti, other city leaders who are part of this initiative include: Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (CO); Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson (IN); Boston Mayor Marty Walsh (MA); Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney (PA); Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs (CA); Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin (AL); Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome (LA); Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley (OH); New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (NY); and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser. To learn more about Mayors for Smart on Crime, visit www.smartoncrime.us.