David M. Kennedy (2) (1958–)

Decided to attend the new book reading at Greenlight on a whim. David Kennedy was incredibly engaging. What he had to say was most exciting: it is possible to end street violence that is killing so many young black men; we know how to do it. The book is the antithesis of a dry academic tome. I'm only on the third chapter, but it is compelling reading. One caveat: perhaps a little too compelling. Kennedy writes as he talks, in a punchy polemical style. But what he has to say is so important, it seems like unfair carping to complain about a somewhat breathless writing style. Don't let this comment put you off the book. It is very accessible and, if the first 2 chapters are any indication, should be widely read.

Having now finished the book, I continue to recommend it. The chapter on Baltimore was particularly intriguing and discouraging for fans of The Wire. I think Kennedy's discussion of legitimacy is a key concept that applies to virtually any situation involving policing and application of the law. Am looking forward to exploring how these ideas can be applied effectively.… (mehr)

More than anything else, this book is about the struggle to recover communities previously considered lost--to violence, drugs, guns, etc. Kennedy's work to help unite these communities WITH law enforcement, and against violence, instead of against members of their own communities, is a revelation. Bringing together lawyers, community activists, police, churches, gang members and their families, and community members who have been affected by or frightened by the violence around them, Kennedy's task forces have cut violence in cities across the country even as individuals from across these groups have underestimated the simple logic behind the group's approaches. Leading eventually to the National Network for Safe Communities, and to bettered communities around the country, the work detailed here (in arguments, in fights, in community actions, in violence, in confrontation, and in untold discussions and political maneuvers) lays groundwork for understanding what is wrong in our communities, and working to fix it now instead of continuing to implement plans that don't work or will take decades for any improvement.

The title sounds specific, but realistically, this is one of those rare books which, in all honesty, everyone should read. Simply, it is about understanding the fragmented world we've managed to create, and about working to fix it. The accounts here are specific because that's what's necessary, at this point, before any further step can be taken. And yet, the people behind the events in this book are, without any doubt, changing the world around us--the statistics back that up. Detailing that fight can only lead to smarter decisions, and reading this book can only speed that fight, and speed the fixes yet to come.

Absolutely recommended.… (mehr)

Received the book as part of LibraryThing Early Reviewers/Member Giveaway. I enjoyed reading 'Don't Shoot', which chronicles David Kennedy's experiences with and practical solutions to reducing violence. Kennedy makes the case that most criminals are rational ("even offenders have standards and rules"), know what they do is bad, and want to change if provided good options. Criminals, he argues, want to be respected. So do communities. By focusing on group dynamics, networks, and informal social controls, police can truly team with communities to target the really bad guys and worst markets instead of blindly arresting everyone in the community ("moving from carpet bombing to smart bombing"). Everyday criminals will see that there is a direct punishment but also a way out. Formerly violent neighborhoods will see police going after the bad guys (instead of anyone and anything), feel they are being treated fairly, and stand up to the violence and related criminal activity.

Why aren't cities and administrations clammering to try this? Good question. It sounds like a mix of politics ("gang rivalries are nothing compared to political ones") and misinterpretation of the findings have obscured the success of Kennedy's work. But it also sounds like Kennedy's efforts are gaining momentum and his National Network for Safe Communities is taking off.

It's great to read about practical, ground-level work that informs policy that translates into honest-to-goodness action. My one minor issue with the book is stylistic; Kennedy's sentences sometimes seem more like rambling stream of consciousness dumps. These sentences sometimes went on and on to the point that my mind drifted away from the core points he was trying to drive home. That's his writing style, though, and was but a minor annoyance in an otherwise informative book.… (mehr)