What does "community policing" focus on?

Community policing is centered on building strong relationships between law enforcement and community members. This strategy emphasizes collaboration, communication, and trust between police officers and the communities they serve. By fostering partnerships with local residents, community policing aims to address not just crime but also the underlying issues that can lead to public safety concerns.

This approach encourages community members to be actively involved in identifying problems and developing strategies to address those issues collectively, leading to more effective and sustainable public safety outcomes. Ultimately, community policing creates a sense of ownership and responsibility among residents, resulting in stronger, safer neighborhoods.

In contrast, other options lean towards approaches that do not prioritize community relationships. Militarization of police forces, strict law enforcement, and a focus solely on crime reduction can create a divide between law enforcement and the community, often leading to distrust and ineffective policing.