ADPSR's Alternatives to Incarceration campaign has long advocated for the building of more community infrastructure -- as well as more deucational, cultural, and economic opoprtunity in general -- as a way to prevent violence in America's poorest neighborhoods. At least one New York City Council member agrees with us. Speaking is response to a protest over police violence that later turned violent itself, Jumaane Williams said, "Tonight was a peaceful vigil that devolved into a riot. The youth in this community have no outlets for their anger, no community center." Obviousble providing a community center with better recreational opportunities won't solve all the problems kids in East Flatbush, Queens, face, but it would be a start. It might both symbolize and realize a turn away from the harsh neglect the nieghborhood -- and thousands like it all over the country -- have suffered for decades.
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