In this webinar, Peace in Our Cities launched the communications guide authored by Enrique Betancourt “Tackling the False Dilemma: A Communications Guide for Advancing Balanced and Effective Public Safety Approaches.” Grounded on existing evidence, the guide offers specific guidance for how public policy makers and local leaders can respond to demands for mano dura approaches to public security policies and provides supporting material for those seeking long-term and balanced solutions for violence reduction and prevention.
Carolina Ricardo, Executive Director of Sou da Paz, added to the discussion by reflecting on how public safety is discussed by politicians in the Brazilian context, and the work that Sou da Paz is doing to counterattack prevailing narratives that rely mostly on tough on crime responses.
This communication guide was created in the context of rising support for heavy-handed or strongman approaches to public safety that emphasize high rates of detainment and often violate core principles of justice and human rights. The guide dismantles a false dilemma, demonstrating that effective approaches require balanced strategies that combine evidence-based policing and justice practices, preserving accountability and retaining core rights, with other forms of prevention.
