PUBLIC SAFETY
HARVEST CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY PUBLIC SAFETY
PURPOSE
Harvest Christian University launches a COMMUNITY SAFETY CUMEN to confront rising community violence and the nationwide shortage of POLICE and FEMA PERSONNEL by mobilizing trained residents, chaplains, and community partners as trusted extensions of public safety and support. This initiative integrates COMMUNITY POLICING, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, and FAITH-BASED SERVICE to strengthen safety, resilience, and hope in vulnerable neighborhoods.
COMMUNITY PLACEMENT AND SERVICE PATHWAYS
Through COMMUNITY PLACEMENT, Harvest Christian University connects trained UNIPOL partners and HARPS OF DAVID POLICE CHAPLAINS with neighborhoods, ministries, nonprofits, and public‑safety partners.
The Initiative
This initiative can be framed as a direct, community-based response to several correctable public safety and health indicators.
VIOLENT INCIDENTS AND CALLS FOR SERVICE
- High rates of assaults, domestic disturbances, and neighborhood disputes that escalate before help arrives.
- Overloaded 911 and non‑emergency call systems where many calls involve conflict, fear, or mental distress rather than purely criminal intent.
RESPONSE TIME AND COVERAGE GAPS
- Longer police and emergency response times in under‑staffed or high‑call‑volume areas, especially during simultaneous incidents or disasters.
- Limited proactive presence and relationship‑building in communities that only see officers during crises.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND CRISIS EPISODES
- Frequent crises tied to untreated trauma, substance use, anger, and stress that could be mitigated through early behavioral‑health intervention.
- Recurrent calls involving the same individuals or families without sustained follow‑up, coaching, or community support.
COMMUNITY TRUST AND COOPERATION
- Low trust in institutions leading to under‑reporting of threats, reluctance to cooperate with investigations, and fear of engaging with authorities.
- Weak connections between residents, faith communities, schools, and public‑safety agencies, limiting shared solutions and early warning.
TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, AND SERVICE PIPELINES
- Underutilized local talent: community members, chaplains, and emerging leaders who lack structured pathways into safety, support, and resilience roles.
- Missed opportunities to convert community policing, chaplaincy, and behavioral‑health training into placements that relieve pressure on POLICE and FEMA PERSONNEL and reduce repeat crises.
KEY PARTNERS
Key partners in this collaboration can be presented as follows:
EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PARTNERS
- Harvest Christian University – lead institution for curriculum, certification, and behavioral health training.
- Harvest Christian University School of Law – support on legal standards, community policing law, and ethics.
COMMUNITY POLICING & SAFETY PARTNERS
- UNIPOL Community Policing Partners – non‑sworn community safety personnel working alongside local law enforcement.
- Local Police Departments and Sheriff’s Offices – agency liaisons, joint trainings, and coordinated response protocols.
CHAPLAINCY AND FAITH-BASED PARTNERS
- Harps of David Police Chaplains – chaplain corps providing spiritual and emotional support in the field and post‑incident.
- Local churches, ministries, and faith networks – recruitment of volunteers, hosting trainings, and follow‑up care.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION PARTNERS
- Behavioral health clinics, counselors, and lifeSkills programs connected to Dr. Carl Robinson’s work and Greater Dallas LifeSkills.
- Community violence intervention and prevention organizations – joint outreach, referrals, and data‑sharing on high‑risk areas.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
- City and county emergency management offices – coordination with FEMA-aligned planning and disaster response.
- Local government (mayor’s offices, council members, justice of the peace precincts) – policy support, community forums, and resource alignment.