SafeState : Focus Areas : Community Conflict

2008 Publication by the Attorney General's California Community Relations Service (CCRS)
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Safe Passage Partnership - a Multi-Agency Effort to Protect Students from Gang Violence as They Travel To and From School

This publication summarizes the strategic planning efforts facilitated by CCRS's Safe Passage Partnership Program. It presents an effective crime prevention tool that is helping 30,000 students at 11 high schools in Los Angeles who, while traveling to and from school, must navigate through the territories of over 60 violent gangs. Any school wishing to start a Safe Passage Program, please contact CCRS.

Orange County Officials Create Civilian Oversight Agency to monitor Sheriff Office's Misconduct

An introduction to Community Conflict in Californa

The potential for community conflict exists whenever and wherever people have contact. California faces increasing community conflicts due to the cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity associated with its changing population. Communities and government services are being redefined and, at the same time, neighbors are facing unfamiliar lifestyles in their neighborhoods. Stresses caused by economic or social change can impact community resources, leaving groups feeling that they are being denied government services at the expense of other groups. Law enforcement, schools and local government officials are increasingly affected by resulting tensions and need to be prepared when serious conflict erupts.

Community conflict also can occur when individuals or groups perceive or experience discriminatory behavior directed at them by an agency or its representative, by members of another group, or by members of their own group. For example, a high-profile case of police misconduct, an incident of violence on a school campus, a hate crime or case of discrimination can polarize a community. All of these events can produce stress on community residents, often resulting in disagreements over what should be done to solve these problems. This stress can even lead to open conflict within the community. Examples of community conflict can include:

California Community Relations Service Brochure. Click to download the PDF brochure.

Click on the image to download the brochure

Community anger after a police shooting
Racial tensions on a high school campus
A hate crime in the community.

For information about approaches to the successful and peaceful management of community conflicts, see:

For information about the mission and services of the California Community Relations Service, see the brochure: California Community Relations Service -- A Conflict Resolution Service of the California Attorney General's Office.