The Crisis of Connection: Rebuilding Public Safety from Within

I grew up in neighborhoods across Philadelphia—full of strength and love, but also pain. I lost my father and grandfather to gun violence before I turned eight. I’ve seen firsthand how simple it is for a young person to get a gun, join a gang with their classmates, or choose the wrong path. These are tragic choices kids face every single day, and most adults have no idea how easy it is to open those doors.

When I talk to older adults in my family or at church, they tell me they can’t walk their dogs after dark anymore. They don’t know their neighbors like they used to. That sense of community, the one that once kept our neighborhoods safe—is slipping away.

For too long, young Black men like me have been:

• Portrayed as thugs instead of leaders.

• Criminalized instead of mentored.

• Isolated instead of invested in.

• Jailed instead of guided.

I want to change that.

We cannot police our way out of a crisis of connection; we must rebuild it from within. My core proposal is simple: To reconnect our communities and restore civic responsibility, we must require community service for every high school student.

Every young person should graduate having volunteered in their own neighborhood—at churches, rec centers, food banks, or nonprofits. This is about re-teaching what it means to serve, to connect, and to belong.

In countries like Finland and South Korea, national service builds unity and purpose. We can do that here too—not through force, but through community. It’s conservative in spirit because it restores responsibility, family, and civic duty. But it’s progressive in its outcome because it rebuilds trust, reduces crime, and invests in the next generation.

We can’t police our way out of a crisis of connection. We have to rebuild it from within.

Reforming the Justice System: Incentivizing Good Behavior

For those who have served their time, we should prioritize second chances and successful reintegration into society. We shouldn’t only punish bad behavior—we should incentivize good behavior that keeps communities safe.

• 5-Year Clean Record Tax Credit: If you’ve been home for five years without a new conviction, you qualify for an individual tax credit. This encourages stability and rewards positive change.

• Fifteen-Year Look-Back Limit: For most non-violent offenses, if you haven’t re-offended after 15 years, your old record should not be visible to most employers. Second chances must be viable again.

• Reduced Sentences for GED Completion & Military Service: We should reward people who use their time inside to build a better future. If an incarcerated individual completes their GED, gains a recognized vocational certificate, or chooses to enlist in the U.S. military, they should earn a meaningful reduction in their sentence. Education and service are two of the strongest predictors of post-release stability — and we should structure our system to encourage both.