Safety Through Connection and Humanity

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, during one of the most volatile periods in the city’s history, safety wasn’t a given. With nearly 2,000 murders per year, my childhood was shaped by an environment of uncertainty, fear, and perseverance. I remember wanting to help–my mother always called me a little helper. I dreamed of becoming a police officer, then a firefighter—anything that would allow me to make my community safer.

Soon, people started saying I’d make a better lawyer. Lawyers could help people be safe too, they said–maybe it was my size or they thought lawyers would make more money. Well, life happened and by the time I arrived at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, I’d decided that understanding people was the best way to help, so I started out as a psychology major. I graduated, one year post 9/11, with a synoptic major–self-designed and intersectional across several departments. I studied the development of aspects of identity across cultural lines.

You see, after 9/11 my views on how I could help people changed; I believed—and still believe—that creating safety starts with understanding each other.

Today, I’m not sure what my profession is, but I know what I do: I work to create spaces where people feel safe, where they can make meaningful connections, and where they can be seen for their humanity. And the work—though it looks different than what I imagined as a child—has only deepened my understanding of what true safety means.

Safety is more than the absence of crime—it’s the presence of trust, opportunity, and connection. Growing up in Brooklyn taught me that fear doesn’t just come from violence; it comes from isolation and the absence of community. My little neighborhood in Brooklyn felt safe, I knew all of the neighbors in at least a four block radius–and they sure knew my mom so I wasn’t getting away with anything! But it was when we left the safety of our neighborhood when that feeling of safety waivered–fear crept in.

And while it wasn’t until I studied psychology, I realized something profound: safety isn’t just about preventing harm; it’s about creating conditions where harm is less likely to happen in the first place. It’s about making sure people have the support and resources they need to feel secure, whether they’re at home, in their neighborhood, or walking down the street. It’s about creating human connection that fosters individual understanding.

In Columbus, we have the opportunity to redefine safety for our communities. That means shifting the focus from reactive measures to proactive ones. It means understanding that public safety is holistic, encompassing not just law enforcement but also access to mental health resources, stable housing, and strong neighborhood connections.

True safety is a shared responsibility. It’s not just about law enforcement—it’s about residents, city leaders, and community organizations working together to address the root causes of harm. My neighbors in Cypress Hills understood this somehow.

Imagine this: the response to a 911 call isn’t only police but it’s a team that includes a mental health professional, a social worker, or a mediator–notably one person can be all three. Imagine neighborhoods where residents and officers work together to build trust, not just respond to crises–so bad kids get taken home and not to jail where real criminals belong. Imagine a Columbus where investments in housing, education, and job opportunities reduce the conditions that lead to harm in the first place.

These aren’t abstract ideas. They’re solutions we’ve seen work in cities across the country, and they’re solutions that Columbus can work to embrace.

In my current work, I don’t wear a badge or carry a legal briefcase, but I’ve realized that helping people feel safe is still at the heart of what I do. Whether I’m supporting LGBTQ+ communities through Stonewall Columbus, advocating for minority-owned businesses, or working to build more inclusive systems, my goal is always the same: to create spaces where people feel seen and valued.

When we feel connected—to our neighbors, to our community, to those sworn to protect us—we feel safer. True safety isn’t built through fear or division through isolation; it’s built through trust and relationships.

Columbus has challenges, just like Brooklyn did when I was growing up. But Columbus also has immense potential and 188 years of example. We have an opportunity to build a city where safety isn’t just reactive but proactive—where it isn’t just about preventing harm but fostering true community connection.

This isn’t about choosing sides. It’s not about being pro-police or anti-police. It’s about being pro-community. It’s about recognizing that public safety requires a balanced approach that includes law enforcement, accountability, and investments in the resources that make our communities stronger.

Imagine a Columbus where every person feels safe walking their streets, every family feels secure in their home, and every child, regardless of their identity, grows up knowing their humanity is valued. That’s the Columbus I’m committed to building.

The little kid in Brooklyn who wanted to help hasn’t gone away. I’m still that person, trying to make life better for the people around me. The only difference now is that I’ve learned that helping isn’t just about one person, profession, or solution—it’s about understanding humanity and its intersections.

As we reimagine safety for Columbus, let’s remember that it begins with understanding, trust, and connection. Together, we can create a city where every resident feels secure, seen, and supported—not just today, but for generations to come.

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.d.