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Why New York City Created Its Own Fund to Bail People Out of Jail

Teresa Mathew

December 01, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Bail reform is a difficult process largely out of the hands of municipalities. Charitable bail funds allow individuals who can't afford bail to be free until their trial, in the hopes of changing the bail system from the inside.

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Take the Power Back

Sylvia Rowley Russell Beard

November 22, 2017 |

Al Jazeera |

Multi-Media |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Germany, Cologne

In the face of climate change as a result of increased CO2 emissions, millions of concerned citizens have grown frustrated at the lack of change from more traditional forms of civil engagement such as petitions, protests, and campaigns against the behemoths of the oil industry. But some have found hope in a growing movement that pushes governments and large corporations to leverage a more effective tool: divestment - or withdrawing financial support from the fossil fuel industry.

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Why Cities Shouldn't Bend Over Backwards for Corporations

Rick Paulas

October 18, 2017 |

Pacific Standard |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Kansas

Flirting with a corporation can end badly. In exchange for city-wide wireless broadband, Kansas City gave Google near-free rein including fast permitting, free office space, low fees, and taxpayer funds. A few years later, Google restructured to become Alphabet and started cancelling hundreds of hook-ups.

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The Hang Out Cure: Former Massachusetts Governor William Weld Has An Idea Local Politicians Need To Hear

Larry Platt

July 18, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Rare are the days of cordiality towards opposing party politicians within American government. Specifically, a shift has occurred in which politicians no longer know each other, which can have detrimental effects on governing and deal-making. To this end, former Massachusetts Governor William Weld has recently promoted the importance of spending time with fellow politicians, in order to increase bipartisanship and function better in government. This is exemplified by his proposal and seven year old practice of “hangout sessions,” weekly meetings in which politicians with opposing viewpoints come together.

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What happened when Camden started rethinking policing to build trust

Hari Sreenivasan

June 30, 2017 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV Programs |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Camden, New Jersey

Police reform in Camden, New Jersey has centered on de-escalation and increased surveillance. With these reforms, the city has seen a decrease in violent and nonviolent crime and a decrease in the use of and complaints of excessive force by police. While not without concerns of the increased surveillance, the department says the shift of role from warrior to guardian is showing impact.

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When Chicago cops moonlight, no one is watching

Jonah Newman

May 08, 2017 |

Chicago Reporter |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

There is much to be learned from The Chicago Police Department's failure to regulate moonlighting police officers. Boasting the nation's weakest oversight of documenting its officer's second-shift jobs, the department has seen repercussions both in shooting statistics and tax payer dollars. It's not what Chicago is doing that is a solution, but what others are doing that they should learn from.

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A How-to Book for Wielding Civic Power

David Bornstein

April 05, 2017 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Recognizing a pervasive sense of powerlessness in the US, Eric Liu authored "You’re More Powerful Than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen.” By connecting stories of various groups across the political spectrum exercising their civic muscles, he lays out concrete ways that power can be reclaimed by the seemingly powerless citizen.

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The Stanford Professor Who Fought the Tax Lobby

Alex Mayyasi

March 22, 2017 |

Priceonomics |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sacramento, California

ReadyReturn is the only program in the United States that provides taxpayers with completed tax returns. It’s simple, easy, and has a 99% user satisfaction rate. Who’s not happy? Intuit, H&R Block, and other tax preparers who have fought the California program every step of the way.

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Black Communities, not Trump Executive Orders, Will End “Carnage”

Zenobia Jeffries

February 13, 2017 |

Yes! Magazine |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Communities in Chicago and Detroit work to involve neighbors and law enforcement to join forces in the fight against gun violence in the United States. By creating a genuine connection between local police and the community members they serve, neighborhood can create a non-violent environment.

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How do you fix a broken system? One U.S. city offers a model for handling sex-assault cases

Robyn Doolittle

February 10, 2017 |

The Globe and Mail |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If not properly investigated, sexual assault claims can be dismissed prematurely, disrupting the justice process and allowing offenders to continue hurting people. In Philadelphia, after an audit revealed more than 2,000 mishandled sexual offense claims in five years, police officers and women’s rights advocates began sitting together once a year to review police files and catch procedural problems. Now 17 years strong, the collaboration continues to hold law enforcement accountable and catch mishandled claims.

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