Spring 2009 Valerie’s Corner
Posted by John Weyer on July 18, 2007
Dear Alumni:
At first glance, taking on the topic of community crime might seem to be focusing on the problem rather than what we as community leaders can do about it.
The Community Leader editorial team – with some superb assistance from a few experts on the subject – has attempted to ensure that this edition’s focus on safety and security as a dimension of healthy community is far more than the usual dwelling on the problem found so often in today’s news headlines.
Ben Winchester, University of Minnesota sociologist and research fellow and BCLP alumnus, wrote our cover story. He provides great insight into the social causes of crime and what we, as community leaders, can do to minimize the impact in our own neighborhoods.
Itasca County has its own success story related to community safety and security a community education initiative that not only helped drop meth statistics in the county, but also opened the door to an entirely new way of dealing with the drug problem locally.
Finally, we bring to you a great story from our friends at the Pine Journal on Nate Sandman, a Fond du Lac Tribal Health Educator. Nate is a 2007 BRCLP alumnus who leads others to a healthier place by his own example.
We hope these articles and stories, along with our regular features, are useful to you on your own leadership journey.
And, as always, if you have comments on this edition or ideas for a future edition, Please Share Below.
