U.S.

Department of Justice
Community Relations Service

WHATWEDO
TheCommunityRelationsService(CRS)helpslocalcommunitiesaddresstensionassociatedwith
allegationsofdiscriminationonthebasisofrace,color,andnationalorigin.CRSalsohelpscommu-
nitiesdevelopthecapacitytomoreeffectivelypreventandrespondtoviolenthatecrimescommit-
tedonthebasisofactualorperceivedrace,color,nationalorigin,gender,genderidentity,sexual
orientation,religion,ordisability.CRSprovidesimpartialandcondentialconciliationandmedia-
tionservicesintendedtoenhancelocalcapacitytoalleviate,solve,andrespondtofutureconicts
moreeffectively.CRSisanon-enforcementandnon-prosecutorialcomponentoftheU.S.Depart-
mentofJustice.
HOWWEDOIT
TrainedimpartialCRSconictresolutionspecialistsarestationedin10Regionaland4localeldof-
cesacrossthecountry.CRSisavailabletoprovideserviceswhenrequestedbylocalauthorities,
communityleaders,orwheneverpotentiallyvolatilecommunitytensionsrequiringourintervention
develop.Foreachsituation,CRSwillrstassessthesituation,whichincludeshearingeveryones
perspective. After gaining a comprehensive understanding of the situation, CRS will fashion an
agreement between stakeholders on the services to be provided to help resolve the conict or
preventfurthertension.
WHOWILLBENEFIT
Mostofourworkcomesfromrequestsbypolicechiefs,mayors,schooladministrators,otherlocal
andstateauthorities,community-basedorganizations,andcivilandhumanrightsgroups.Theyask
CRStohelpwhenthereisacommunityconictandwhentheybelieveimpartialmediatorsfromCRS
canhelpreducetensions,preventviolence,andgetpeopletalking.CRSworksinall50statesand
theU.S.territories,andincommunitieslargeandsmall,rural,suburban,andurban.
Community
Relations
Service
Americas
Peacemaker
Annual Report
FY 2011

T A B L E O F CO N T E N T S
CRS Legislative Mandates............................................................................................................... ii
Forward Message from the Director ........................................................................................ v
BuildingCommunityCapacity
MissionStatement...................................................................................................................................1
SummaryofCRSActivities.....................................................................................................................1
AdministrationofJustice.......................................................................................................................2
Education...................................................................................................................................................3
GeneralCommunityRelations...............................................................................................................4
HelpingCommunitiesPreventandRespondtoHate.........................................................................5
CRSPrograms...........................................................................................................................................8
RegionalReports
CRSRegionalMap.................................................................................................................................11
NewEnglandRegion.............................................................................................................................12
NortheastRegion...................................................................................................................................12
Mid-AtlanticRegion...............................................................................................................................14
SoutheastRegion...................................................................................................................................15
MidwestRegion.....................................................................................................................................16
SouthwestRegion..................................................................................................................................17
CentralRegion........................................................................................................................................19
RockyMountainRegion........................................................................................................................20
WesternRegion......................................................................................................................................21
NorthwestRegion..................................................................................................................................23
CRSRegionalandFieldOfficeLocations....................................................................................25
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CRS L E G I S L A T I V E MA N D A T E S
CivilRightsActof1964
ExcerptfromtheCivilRightsActof1964
ItshallbethefunctionoftheServicetoprovideassistancetocommunitiesandpersonsthere-
ininresolvingdisputes,disagreements,ordifcultiesrelatingtothediscriminatorypractices
basedonrace,color,ornationaloriginwhichimpairtherightsofpersonsinsuchcommunities
undertheConstitutionorlawsoftheUnitedStatesorwhichaffectormayaffectinterstatecom-
merce.TheServicemayofferitsservicesincasesofsuchdisputes,disagreements,ordifcul-
tieswhenever,initsjudgment,peacefulrelationsamongthecitizensofthecommunityinvolved
are threatened thereby, and it may offer its services either upon its own motion or upon the
requestofanappropriateStateorlocalofcialorotherinterestedperson. (42U.S.C.2000g-1)
HateCrimesPreventionAct
ExcerptsfromtheHateCrimesPreventionAct
ThereareauthorizedtobeappropriatedtotheDepartmentofJustice,includingtheCommunity
RelationsService,forscalyears2010,2011,and2012suchsumsasarenecessarytoincrease
thenumberofpersonneltopreventandrespondtoallegedviolationsofsection249oftitle18,
UnitedStatesCode,asaddedbysection4707ofthisdivision.) (P.L.111-84,4706) Whoever,
whetherornotactingundercoloroflaw,willfullycausesbodilyinjurytoanypersonor,through
theuseofre,arearm,adangerousweapon,oranexplosiveorincendiarydevice,attempts
tocausebodilyinjurytoanyperson,becauseoftheactualorperceivedrace,color,religion,
ornationaloriginofanyperson....Whoever,whetherornotactingundercoloroflaw,inany
circumstance described in subparagraph (B) or paragraph (3), willfully causes bodily injury
to any person or, through the use of re, a rearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or
incendiarydevice,attemptstocausebodilyinjurytoanyperson,becauseoftheactualorper-
ceivedreligion,nationalorigin,gender,sexualorientation,genderidentity,ordisabilityofany
person(i)shallbeimprisonednotmorethan10years,nedinaccordancewiththistitle,or
both;and(ii)shallbeimprisonedforanytermofyearsorforlife,nedinaccordancewiththis
title,orboth,if(I)deathresultsfromtheoffense;or(II)theoffenseincludeskidnappingoran
attempttokidnap,aggravatedsexualabuseoranattempttocommitaggravatedsexualabuse,
oranattempttokill. (P.L.111-84,4707)
CongressionalNotication
The Commerce, Justice, State, Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference
ReportforFiscalYear1999includedinformationregardingCongressionalnoticationforCRS.
Thereportstated:
ClosecoordinationbetweentheAdministrationandCongresscouldhelpstabilizeraciallymoti-
vatedlocalincidents.Asthepeoplesbody,CongressmustbekeptinformedwhentheAdmin-
istrationrespondstoadomesticcrisis.Therefore,theAttorneyGeneralisdirectedtonotifythe
relevantcommitteeswheneverrequestsbylocalofcialspromptthedeploymentofCRSperson-
neltomediateconict.
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A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R
CRS L E G I S L A T I V E MA N D A T E S
Whenever CRS mediators conducted violence prevention and conict resolution activities in
FiscalYear2011,CRSnotiedthetwoU.S.SenatorsoftheStatewheretheconictoccurred
and the U.S. Representative of the affected congressional district. CRS continues to provide
noticationtothesemembers.
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F O R WA R D ME S S A G E F R O M T H E DI R E C T O R
O
n October 16, 2011, when President Obama spoke
at the dedication of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
MemorialontheNationalMall,heexplained:
Andthatiswhywehonorthismanbecausehehadfaith
inus.AndthatiswhyhebelongsonthisMallbecausehe
sawwhatwemightbecome....Thisisacountrywhere
ordinary people find in their hearts the courage to do
extraordinarythings;thecouragetostandupinthefaceof
the ercest resistance and despair and say this is wrong,
andthisisright;wewillnotsettleforwhatthecynicstellus
we have to accept and we will reach again and again, no
mattertheodds,forwhatweknowispossible.
TheCommunityRelationsService,createdbytheCivilRightsActof1964,workedwithDr.Kingand
other civil rights leaders to address tension associated with allegations of discrimination on the
basisofrace,color,andnationalorigin.Aswecontinuethisworktodayandexpandourservices
pursuanttotheMatthewShepardandJamesByrd,Jr.HateCrimesPreventionActtoworkwithcom-
munitiestopreventandrespondmoreeffectivelytoviolenthatecrimescommittedonthebasisof
race,color,nationalorigin,gender,genderidentity,sexualorientation,religion,ordisability,wehave
seenwhyDr.Kinghadsuchfaithinourcountry.AtCRS,overthelastyear,wehadtheprivilegeof
servingpeoplewhocametogethertodoextraordinarythingsforeachotherandfortheircommuni-
ties.Peoplewho,whenconfrontedwithdiscriminationandhateviolence,workedtogetherwithlaw
enforcementleaders,localgovernmentofcials,andothercommunitymemberstobuildstronger,
moreinclusivecommunities.
Weservedpeoplelikethediversegroupofcommunitymembersinatownwho,whenfacedwith
reportsofincreasingKuKluxKlanactivityintheirarea,workedwithCRStolearnaboutapproaches
thatallowedthemtodevelopacoordinatedanduniedresponsetohategroupactivity.Inanother
town,followingadivisivedebateovertheconstructionofamosque,weservedMuslimcommunity
leaders, federal and state law enforcement ofcials, school ofcials and other concerned com-
munitymemberstohelpdevelopthetoolsthatwouldallowthemtorealizetheirsharedgoalofa
communitythatwassafeandwelcomingforallresidentstoliveandtolearn.
Inanothercity,intheaftermathofthefatalshootingofanAmericanIndianmanbyapoliceofcer,
CRS served the Mayor, American Indian leaders, and local police by facilitating a dialogue about
allegations of discrimination and proling and beginning a process to strengthen the relationship
betweenurbanAmericanIndiansandlocalgovernmentandlawenforcementofcials.Inadifferent
partofthecountry,followingtheviolentstabbingdeathofatransgenderwoman,CRSunitedlocal
ofcialsandcommunityleadersbyfacilitatingmeetingsthatledtotheinclusionoftransgendermem-
bersofthecommunityinthepolicechiefsregularroundtablediscussionstohelprealizetheirshared
commitment to improving public safety. In response to concerns expressed by Latino community
leadersabouttreatmentbylocallawenforcementandallegationsofprolinginanotherpartofthe
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F O R W A R D ME S S A G E F R O M T H E D I R E C T O R
country, we worked with police and community leaders to develop a training that helped bridge
culturaldividesandimprovetherelationshipbetweenlawenforcementandtheLatinocommunity.
Through our service to all of these communities, we see people demonstrating why Dr. Kings
faithinourcountrywaswellplaced.WeseecommunitiesacrossAmericautilizingourservices
toengageinconstructivedialogue,promoteunderstanding,andpeacefullyresolveconictsto
ensureournationspromiseofequalityandjusticeisarealityforall.Whetheritwas,asPresident
ObamaexplainedattheDedication,heedingDr.Kingscallonustostandintheotherpersons
shoes; to see through their eyes; to understand their pain, or recognizing that aligning our
realitywithouridealsoftenrequiresthespeakingofuncomfortabletruthsandthecreativeten-
sionofnon-violentprotest,thebravecommunitymembersacrossthiscountrywhomwewere
privilegedtoserveembracedthesechallengesanddemonstratedthroughactionandtheirdeter-
minationtoreachagainandagain,nomattertheodds,forwhatweknowispossible.
BeckyMonroe
ActingDirector
CommunityRelationsService
A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R
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BU I L D I N G CO M M U N I T Y CA P A C I T Y
MissionStatement
The Community Relations Service is the De-
partments peacemaker for community con-
icts and tensions arising from differences of
race,color,andnationalorigin.Createdbythe
CivilRightsActof1964,CRSistheonlyFederal
agencydedicatedtoassistStateandlocalunits
of government, private and public organiza-
tions, and community groups with preventing
and resolving racial and ethnic tensions, inci-
dents, and civil disorders, and in restoring ra-
cialstabilityandharmony.
With passage of the 2009 Matthew Shepard
and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention
Act, CRS also works with communities to em-
ploy strategies to prevent and respond to al-
legedviolenthatecrimescommittedontheba-
sis of actual or perceived race, color, national
origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orienta-
tion, religion or disability. CRS facilitates the
development of viable, mutual understandings
and agreements as alternatives to coercion,
violence,orlitigation.Italsoassistscommuni-
tiesindevelopinglocalmechanisms,conduct-
ing training, and other proactive measures to
President Barack Obama standing on-stage with Dennis
and Judy Shepard, parents of Matthew Shepard (left);
Louvon Harris and Betty Byrd Boatner (right), sisters of
James Byrd, Jr., during his remarks at a reception com-
memorating the enactment of the Matthew Shepard and
James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, in the East
Room,oftheWhiteHouse,October28,2009.OfcialWhite
Housephoto/ChuckKennedy.
prevent racial/ethnic tension and violent hate
crimes committed on the basis of actual or
perceived race, color, national origin, gender,
gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or
disability. CRSdoesnottakesidesamongdis-
puting parties and, in promoting the principles
and ideals of non-discrimination, applies skills
that allow parties to come to their own agree-
ment. In performing this mission, CRS deploys
highlyskilledprofessionalconciliators,whoare
abletoassistpeopleofdiversebackgrounds.
TotalnumberofCRScases-1,100
General Community Relations
27.45%
Education
15.91%
Administration of Justice
56.64%
SummaryofCRSActivities
In Fiscal Year 2011, the Community Relations
Service(CRS)wascalleduponbyFederal,State,
andlocalgovernmentofcials,communitylead-
ers, and numerous civil rights organizations to
addressconictsbasedonrace,color,andna-
tionalorigin.CRSalsoworkedwithcommunities
to prevent and respond to alleged hate crimes
committed on the basis of actual or perceived
gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, re-
ligion,ordisability.Theseconictsrangedfrom
disparityoftreatmentallegationsinlocalschool
systems to targeted and violent acts of hate
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BU I L D I N G CO M M U N I T Y CA P A C I T Y
committedagainstAfricanAmericans,Hispanic
Americans, Asian Americans, Muslim Ameri-
cans, Sikh Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender (LGBT) Americans, American
Indians, disabled Americans, and many other
groups.Intotal,duringscalyear2011,CRSen-
gaged in 1,100 cases in 47 states, Puerto Rico
andtheU.S.VirginIslands.
CRS facilitated dialogues between aggrieved
parties, conducted mediations, provided con-
ciliation services, and provided training to law
enforcementpersonnel,U.S.andDistrictAttor-
neys, civic leaders, and school administrators
throughout the country. CRS also supported
efforts by local communities to enhance their
capacity to effectively and independently re-
solveconictbasedonrace,color,andnational
origin.ThemajorareasinwhichCRSofferedits
servicesweretheadministrationofjustice,edu-
cation,andgeneralcommunityrelations.
AdministrationofJustice
Inscalyear2011,thelargestnumberofadmin-
istration of justice cases occurred in the after-
mathofhate-relatedcrimesandincidents,orre-
sultedfrompolice-communityrelationsconicts
and allegations of biased policing practices.
Hategroupactivity,conictsbasedoncommu-
Source: Community Relations Service
Number of Cases
CRS Casework Administration of Justice Cases
(Fiscal Year 2011)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140
Correction-Prison
Tribal-Reservation
Biased Policing Practices
Civil Disturbance-Riot
Civilian Oversight & Review
Community Policing
Hate Group Activity
Excessive Use of Force
Court Related
Internal Department Tensions
Police-Community Relations
Police-School Relations
Protests-Marches
Recruitment-Promotions
Hate Incident-Crime
7
28
86
9
8
34
55
50
10
2
37
2
106
183
6
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A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R

BU I L D I N G CO M M U N I T Y CA P A C I T Y
nity concerns about the excessive use of force
by law enforcement, protests/demonstrations/
marches,andtribalissueswerealsoprominent.
Inmanycases,CRSwasinvitedbylawenforce-
mentandlocalgovernmentofcialstoprovide
conictresolutionandmediationservices,cul-
tural diversity training, and to offer technical
assistance with addressing conicts. In other
instances, CRS was asked by community and
civil rights organizations to help them engage
law enforcement, local government agencies,
orotherentitieswithintheircommunity.Nomat-
terwhatbringsCRSintoalocalconict,thegoal
isalwaystoprovideservicesandconducttrain-
ings and facilitated dialogues in a manner that
bringspartiestogethertorealizesharedgoals.
Education
In scal year 2011, most education cases re-
sulted from conicts over allegations of dis-
parities in treatment or educational opportu-
nities based on race, color, or national origin.
Therewerealsoasignicantnumberofhateor
bias-related bullying incidents stemming from
genderidentityandsexualorientationissues
primarily at the middle and high school levels.
Some of these received media attention and
raised community-wide tensions, but in many
instances these cases caused conicts that
were known only to local communities or the
CRS Casework Education Cases
(Fiscal Year 2011)
Number of Cases
0 10 20 30 40 50
College/University Incident
Disparities in
Treatment or Opportunity
Policing in Schools-K-12
Policing on College/
University Campus
Tribe or Reservation
Hate or Bias Incident-K-12
Hate or Bias Incident
College/University
School Disturbance-K-12
Student Racial Confict
Source: Community Relations Service
48
3
20
6
46
16
8
26
8
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BU I L D I N G CO M M U N I T Y CA P A C I T Y
schools direct stakeholders. The responses
thatCRSofferedwereasvariedastheindivid-
ual cases and communities in which the inci-
dentsoccurred.
GeneralCommunity
Relations
In scal year 2011, the largest number of gen-
eral community relations cases resulted from
tensionsbasedondemographicshifts,commu-
nitydevelopment,andperceptionsofinequita-
bleserviceprovisionbasedonraceornational
origin.Oftenthesecasesemergedasdisputes
between communities and law enforcement,
hate incidents, racial conict in schools, or as
transportationsecurityscreeningcomplaints.
CRSstaffmembersgatherattheMidwestregionalofceinKansasCity,MO.toparticipateintraining.
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A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R
BU I L D I N G CO M M U N I T Y CA P A C I T Y
CRS Casework General Community Relations
(Fiscal Year 2011)
Number of Cases
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Community Development
Demographic Shift
Other Transition
Disparities in Service
Cross Cultural
Language Based
Environmental Justice
Tribe-Reservation
Housing
Citizenship/Deportation
Post 911 Backlash
Special Events &
Gatherings
Youth Related
Hate Crimes Prevention
HelpingCommunities
PreventandRespond
toHate
Since the enactment of the Matthew Shepard
and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention
Act of 2009 (HCPA), incorporating its mandate
into CRS casework has been a focus of the
agency. CRS has worked closely with com-
munities to employ strategies to prevent and
respond to violent hate crimes committed on
the basis of race, color, national origin, gen-
der, gender identity, sexual orientation, reli-
gion, or disability. CRS has always strived to
Source: Community Relations Service
58
8
41
1
35
15
24
3
4
5
16
92
build enhanced resolution capabilities in local
communitiesincluding high schools and uni-
versitiessothatlocalinstitutionswillbeable
toresolvefutureconictswithoutexternalas-
sistance. In many cases, building bridges of
communication between those communities
most vulnerable to conict and violence and
local law enforcement is essential to improve
communitysafety,andreducethepotentialfor
future disruptive conict and hate crimes. The
followingcaseexamplesareillustrativeofCRS
workinFY2011incommunitiesimpactedunder
theHateCrimesPreventionAct.
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BU I L D I N G CO M M U N I T Y CA P A C I T Y
AfricanMuslimHate-BasedRobberies
inBronx,NewYork
In March 2011, CRS learned of ongoing racial
tensions between African American and Afri-
canMuslimresidentsoftheClaremontsection
oftheBronxinNewYorkCity.Africanresidents
alleged that they had been the victims of a
spike in robberies and assaults committed by
their African American neighbors. The African
Muslim community further alleged that they
weretargetedbecauseoftheirnationalorigin,
as visibly demonstrated through their clothing
and African accents. CRS met with members
ofthelocalpolicedepartmentprecinct,thelo-
calhousingpolicedepartment,Hispanicclergy
leadership, the Claremont Village Tenants As-
sociation, and African and African American
communityleaderstodevelopaCRSMediation
Agreement.Theagreementincludesprovisions
that encourage a multi-faceted, multi-stake-
holder approach to violence reduction, youth
development, housing, and police-community
relations.
TeenBeatenin
Wauwatosa,Wisconsin
CRS alerted a case concerning a Wauwatosa
teen who was beaten up by three other teens
whilewalkinghomefromschool.Theteen,who
wasallegedtohavebeenthetargetofbullies,
wassaidtosufferfrombothmentalandbehav-
ioraldisabilities.Inresponsetothisallegedhate
crime,CRSfacilitatedaSPIRITproblem-solving
programatthelocalhighschool.CRSprovided
facilitator training and conducted the SPIRIT
exercisefor40students,fromtwohighschools.
The superintendent also formed a permanent
StudentAdvisoryCouncilandtoldstudentsthat
hewouldworkwiththemtoimplementasmany
of their suggestions to improve student and
schoolrelationsasfeasiblypossible.
HateCrimesPreventionForums
inOklahoma
OnOctober5,2010,inOklahomaCity,Oklahoma,
and October 6, 2010, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, CRS,
theFBI,andtheU.S.AttorneysOfceconducted
communityforumshostedbyastatewideadvo-
cacyorganizationforlesbian,gay,bisexual,and
transgender(LGBT)politicalandlegalrights,and
another statewide LGBT advocacy group. CRS
participation and leadership was requested in
responsetoLGBTcommunitymemberswhohad
voiced concern about allegations of anti-gay
sentiment by citizens and city ofcials in Okla-
homa.TheforumsincludedLGBTandnon-LGBT
citizens,students,faculty,lawenforcement,ser-
vice providers, media, and human rights advo-
cates.Communitymembersstatedthatthiswas
the rst time that their concerns had been ad-
dressedbythreefederalgovernmentagencies,
state and local government ofcials, and local
serviceproviders,allofwhomwererepresented
attheforum.Theforumalsoprovidedanoppor-
tunityforthepartiestocometogethertodiscuss
mutualconcernsandbegintobuildlastingpart-
nershipstoaddressfutureconicts.
Ihavealwaysgravitatedtowardmediatingcon-
ict wherever I have found iton the play-
ground, in the dormitory, on the streets of
Washington,DCasaPoliceOfcer,asaformer
journalist,orasamemberoftheU.N.Civilian
Police Peacekeeping Mission in ethnically
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A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R

BU I L D I N G CO M M U N I T Y CA P A C I T Y
divided Kosovo. I use all of these experiences to
help me understand what drives hate, and what
movescommunitiesbeyonditsdestructivegrip.
Tracking hate activity across the country has
taught me one thing, as the economy goes, so
goesthehate.Whencommunitiesbecomepo-
larizedduetodemographicshifts,sometimesa
huge part of the conict is over the perceived
increase in competition for a paucity of jobs
andresources,particularlyinsmalltownsand
ruralareas.
What is unique about CRS response to these
changingdynamicsisthattheconciliationpro-
cess is designed to address the issues that
have contributed to incidents of hate, not just
the immediate conict. Ultimately, this is what
makesitpossibleforstakeholderstomakede-
cisionsthatbuildlastinglocalcapacity.
KellyCollins-McMurry
HateCrimesProgramAnalyst
AmishBarnBurningin
Fertile,Minnesota
In June 2011, CRS learned of the arson of an
AmishbarninFertile,Minnesota.CRSmetwith
local police and Amish community leaders to
facilitateadialogueintheaftermathofthebarn
burning. Amish community leaders indicated
that a central tenet of their religion is forgive-
ness,whichmitigatedanyneedforprosecution.
The Amish only wanted an opportunity to talk
with the suspects in order to understand their
motivation for burning down the barn. Prior to
the barn burning, there had been unreported
incidentsofslursbeingshoutedbypassingmo-
torists,objectsbeingthrownatAmishbuggies,
and petty vandalism. Police explained that the
legal system does not allow victims to deter-
minewhethersuspectsshouldbechargedand
prosecuted. Police also expressed concern
thatifthesuspectsareprosecutedcontraryto
thewishesoftheAmish,theAmishmaybere-
luctant to report future hate crimes. Following
the CRS-led dialogue, police have increased
patrolsinareaswhereAmishfarmsarelocated
andCRSworkedwithAmishleadersandlocal
police to develop an agenda for a town hall
style meeting. The town hall meeting provided
non-Amishcommunitymemberswithanunder-
standing of the history and background on the
Amishwayoflifeinanefforttopreventfuture
misunderstandings, biased-based incidents,
andhatecrimes.
TransgenderWomanMurderedin
Minneapolis,Minnesota,and
TransgenderWomanHeldinSolitary
ConnementAfterBrawl
In January 2011, CRS reached out to a Minne-
sotaLGBTadvocacyorganizationregardingthe
murder of a transgender woman. CRS went on
to convene a series of dialogues in Minneapo-
lis with the group, the Chief of the local police
department,andtransgendercommunitymem-
bers that resulted in an advocate-led roll-call
andotherLGBTculturalawarenesstrainingfor
local police, sheriffs, corrections ofcers, and
county workers. CRS also met with the Chief
andhiscommunityoutreachofcerstodevelop
anLGBToutreachandliaisonprogram. CRSef-
fortsledtostandingLGBTrepresentationspe-
cically the transgender communityon the
ChiefsMonthlyRoundtableAdvisoryCouncil.
Severalmonthslater,inJune2011,atransgen-
der woman in Minneapolis was allegedly ver-
bally assaulted with transphobic, racial, and
sexistslursandstruckinthefacewithabottle.
Herattackersustainedfatalinjuriesduringthe
resulting brawl. The transgender woman who
wasvictimizedwasarrestedandplacedinsoli-
taryconnement.Duetothedevelopmentofthe
LGBToutreachandliaisonprogramintheear-
liercase,CRSwasabletoquicklyarrangeand
facilitate a series of dialogues in Minneapolis
with local police and transgender advocates.
The purpose of this was to discuss police-re-
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BU I L D I N G CO M M U N I T Y CA P A C I T Y
lated concerns of the transgender community,
including prisoner processing, detention, and
criteria for administrative segregation. Further
training was provided for law enforcement on
best practices for interacting with transgender
individuals and a comprehensive list of trans-
gendersupportagencieswasalsodevelopedto
support law enforcement efforts when dealing
withtransgenderissuesthatariseinthecourse
oftheirwork.
CRSPrograms
ConictResolution
CRS meets with parties to a conict to under-
stand their concerns and assess the situation.
Then, through informal conciliation sessions or
aformalmediationprocess,webringtheparties
involvedintheconicttogethertodeveloptheir
ownresolutions.
LawEnforcementMediationProgram
Our Law Enforcement Mediation Program is a
two-day course that strengthens the problem-
solvingandmediationskillsoflawenforcement
ofcers and commanders who serve racially
diversecommunities.Weworkwithofcersto
identify opportunities to enhance the level of
mutualtrustandrespectbetweentheirdepart-
mentandthecommunity,andtoeliminatebarri-
erstoprovidingmoreeffectivepoliceservices.
A residual benet of the program is that many
oftheissuesaddressedcanleadtoareduced
number of calls for service and an increase in
patrolefciency.
RespondingtoAllegationsof
RacialProling
This eight-hour course brings together law en-
forcement and community members to address
perceived racial proling and biased policing
practices. This course can be tailored to the
specic needs of a community, and offers vari-
ous benets. It is helpful in reducing tensions
andcreatingasharedunderstandingoffactors
thatcontributetomistrust;itisaneffectiveway
to begin a police-community relations initiative
or problem-solving process; and, it encourages
collaborativepolice-communityrelations.
StudentProblemIdenticationand
ResolutionofIssuesTogether(SPIRIT)
TheSPIRITprogramisatwohalf-dayinteractive
student-basedproblem-solvingprogramthaten-
gagesstudentsindevelopingsolutionstoprob-
lems associated with allegations of discrimina-
tion, harassment, and hate activity in schools
andcreatingthesafestpossibleenvironmentfor
learning.SPIRIT also engages school adminis-
trators, teachers, school resource ofcers, lo-
cal ofcials, community leaders, and parents
intheprocessofidentifyingandrespondingto
theseconicts.
CityProblemIdenticationandResolution
ofIssuesTogether(CitySPIRIT)
CitySPIRITisatwo-dayproblem-solvingandres-
olutionprogramthatbringstogetherrepresenta-
tivesfromlocalgovernmentagencies,community,
faith-based organizations, law enforcement, and
businesses to develop collaborative approaches
for reducing conicts and addressing the fac-
tors that contribute to the conicts. The parties
mayalsodevelopapproachesforpreventingand
respondingtoallegedviolenthatecrimesonthe
basisofactualorperceivedrace,color,national
origin,gender,genderidentity,sexualorientation,
religion, and disability. This program helps com-
munities establish a lasting capacity to prevent
andrespondtoconicts.
HumanRelationsCommissionTraining
CRSprovidescustomizedtrainingandtechnical
assistance to local Human Relations Commis-
8 9
A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R

BU I L D I N G CO M M U N I T Y CA P A C I T Y
sions.Ifalocalgovernmentisinterestedinstart-
ing a Human Relations Commission, CRS can
help. If an existing Human Relations Commis-
sionisinterestedinbestpracticesforrespond-
ingtodiscriminationcomplaints,CRScanhelp.
We will work with local ofcials to develop a
trainingorconsultativeprogramthatsupportsa
Commissionseffortstobetterservetheneeds
ofitscommunity.
Arab,Muslim,&SikhCultural
AwarenessProgram
CRSoffersafour-hourprogramintendedtofa-
miliarizelawenforcementandgovernmentof-
cialswithsomeofthecustomsandculturalas-
pects of Arab, Muslim, and Sikh communities.
The program is effective as a tool for helping
law enforcement avoid behavior and actions
thatareoffensive,oraspartofabroaderinitia-
tivetostrengthentherelationshipbetweenlo-
calofcialsandtheArab,Muslim,orSikhcom-
munitiesthattheyserve.
CRS also offers a Train-the-Trainer program that
preparesArab,Muslim,andSikhcommunitylead-
ers,toprovidelocallawenforcementofcialsand
rst responders with a fundamental understand-
ingofArab,Muslim,andSikhcultures.
HateCrimesProgram
The Hate Crimes Program is a two-day train-
ing program that provides state and local law
enforcementofcerswithskillsandknowledge
that is critical when addressing hate crimes.
The program has been designed to familiar-
ize ofcers with best practices for identifying,
reporting, investigating, and prosecuting hate
crimes. The program also covers strategies
for effectively educating the public about hate
crimesandtheirsignicance.
Self-MarshallingAssistance&Training
CRS assists local law enforcement, city of-
cials, and demonstration organizers with plan-
ning and managing safe marches and demon-
strations. CRS facilitates meetings between all
parties involved, and serves as a neutral entity
toensurethatlogisticsarecoordinated,informa-
tion is shared appropriately, and that marches
anddemonstrationsareassafeaspossible.
CRSalsoprovidesself-marshallingtrainingfor
organizersofprotestsanddemonstrations.The
trainingcoversareassuchaspermits,routese-
lection,effectivecommunicationanddecision-
makingproceduresduringtheevent,logistical
management,andcontingencyplanning.
RumorControl
CRSassistsinestablishingrumorcontrolmea-
sures following community incidents, protests,
police investigations, jury verdicts, and other
developments that contribute to the elevation
of racial tension and the potential for violent
hate crimes. CRS offers technical assistance
on how to control inammatory rumors with
accurate and credible information by employ-
ing a proactive and coordinated approach to
publicity, formalized community notication
processes, and other appropriate information
disseminationmeasures.
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9
RE G I O N A L RE P O R T S
CRS Regional Map
The Community Relations Service (CRS) has 10 regional ofces and 4 smaller eld ofces that are
strategically located throughout the country to meet the unique needs of the states and communi-
ties which they serve. Examples of the types of cases that each regional and eld ofce worked on
during scal year 2011 are highlighted in the following section.
C O M M U N I T Y R E L A T I O N S S E R V I C E44A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 1
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RE G I O N A L RE P O R T S
NEW ENGLAND
REGION 1
ME
VT
NH
CT
MA
RI
NewEnglandRegion
Region1
Connecticut,Maine,Massachusetts,
NewHampshire,RhodeIsland,Vermont
Kingston,RhodeIsland
CRS met with a local Universitys administra-
tion and members of their Diversity and Equity
Council to share best practices and address
concerns raised by members of the university
community in response to a number of hate
crimesandhateincidentsonthecampus.CRS
recommendedaprocessforstudentstoreport
hatecrimesandhateincidents.Administration
ofcials also requested that CRS review and
make recommendations for enhancing their
StrategicDiversityPlan.
Warwick,RhodeIsland
CRS conducted a cultural awareness program
for Rhode Island Superior Court personnel on
Arab,Muslim,andSikh(AMS)sensitivityissues.
Court personnel including security, clerical,
attorneys, and judges come into daily contact
withaverydiversepopulation.Reportsofcon-
ictsandmisunderstandingsledtheChiefJudge
to seek CRS assistance in providing staff with
a better understanding of AMS cultural norms.
More than 40 court staff members participated
inthetraining.
Boston,Massachusetts
CRS worked with the United States Attorneys
OfcefortheDistrictofMassachusettsandthe
SomaliDiasporaYouthOrganizationduringtheir
Youth Conference, which was held on July 16-
17,2011,ataBostonculturalcenter.CRSpartic-
ipated in the conference and in dialogues with
Somali youth during the two-day conference.
CRS listened to concerns expressed by par-
ticipants, presented information about agency
services, and helped the youth develop an on-
goingrelationshipthatwillsupportfutureefforts
toensurethatthecommunityfeelsempowered
tohaveracialprolingandIslamophopiaissues
addressed.
NORTHEAST
REGION 2
Caribbean Sea
PUERTO RICO AND
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
NY
NJ
NortheastRegion
Region2
NewJersey,NewYork,PuertoRico,
U.S.VirginIslands
SanJuan,PuertoRico
InAugust2011,CRScollaboratedwiththeNewYork
Police Department (NYPD) Hate Crimes Task Force
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A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R

RE G I O N A L RE P O R T S
andthePuertoRicoPoliceDepartment(PRPD)to
facilitate the NYPD-PRPD Hate Crimes Train-the-
Trainerprogramforstate-levelhatecrimesinSan
Juan,PR. Thepurposeofthesetrainingsessions
was to reduce police-community tensions stem-
mingfromaspikeinhatecrimesagainstmembers
of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
(LGBT) community. CRS provided assistance to
bothdepartmentsonthedesignandimplementa-
tionofthetwo-daytrainingprogram.
theGroundZeroMemorialParkonthe10thAnni-
versaryofthe9/11terrorattacks.Inpreparation
fortheprotest,CRSmetwiththeNewYorkPolice
Department (NYPD) to coordinate contingency
planning and emergency mediation services as
necessary.CRSremainedon-sitethroughoutthe
day to monitor all protest activities. Ultimately,
there were no arrests or incidents. The NYPD
expressedappreciationforCRSservices.
CRSConciliatorLindaOrtiz(Center)leadscivicleadersandlocalgovernmentofcialsthroughthesigningofamemoran-
dumofunderstandingaspartoftheircitysefforttoreduceracialtensions.(PhotocourtesyoftheFingerLakesTimes)
Thefocusofthetrainingwasonbuildingthecapac-
ityofPRPDtrainerstoreplicatethecurriculumde-
liveryformembersofthedepartment.Participants
includedPRPDCommandStaff,RegionalChiefDe-
tectives,PRPDtrainers,PoliceCadets,andpolice
academyfaculty.Alsopresentforthetrainingwere
senior ofcials and prosecutors from the Puerto
RicoJusticeDepartment,representativesfromthe
Puerto Rico Superior Court and Judicial College,
Federal Bureau of Investigation Investigators, the
AssistantU.S.AttorneysOfceHateCrimesCoor-
dinator,andLGBTorganizationleaders.
NewYork,NewYork
OnSeptember11,2011,CRSdeployedtoaprotest
conducted by a church group that is nationally
knownfordemonstratingatthefuneralservices
ofLGBThatecrimevictimsaswellasthefuneral
servicesoffallenmilitaryservicemembers,and
a second rally held by an anti-Muslim group at
Piscataway,NewJersey
CRSlearnedofthesuicideofagaycollegefreshman
atalocaluniversityfollowingallegationsofexcessive
hate-related bullying. The incident sparked commu-
nityconcernsovertheperceivedspikeofanti-LGBT
bullyinginschoolsanduniversitiesthroughoutNew
YorkandNewJersey.
Inresponsetofearsthatanti-LGBTbullying,ifleftun-
addressed,couldleadtoviolenthatecrimesagainst
LGBTstudents,CRSalsopresentedanoverviewof
itsservicesatasummitofthenewlycreatedNew
York City Higher Education Task Force on Student
WellnessandAnti-Bullying.Thetaskforceiscom-
prisedofmorethan30NewYorkCityMetropolitan
area university presidents, provosts, and directors.
The purpose of the task force is to prevent other
suicidesorbiasincidentsthroughfacilitatedgroup
discussions on suicide prevention, education and
awarenessaboutbullying,andcommunitybuilding.
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13

MID-ATLANTIC
REGION 3
PA
MD
DE
WVA
VA
RE G I O N A L RE P O R T S
Mid-AtlanticRegion
Region3
District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland,
Pennsylvania,Virginia,WestVirginia
Philadelphia,Pennsylvania
In March 2011, the community and business
leadersrequestedCRSassistanceinestablish-
ing a task force to assist the Philadelphia Po-
lice Department in their efforts to prevent and
respond to home invasions being perpetrated
against Asian business owners. CRS provided
conciliationservicesbyencouragingpoliceof-
cials to participate in a community dialogue
on the matter. The Chief of Police as well as
several command-level staff attended. Addi-
tionally, CRS engaged the Federal Bureau of
InvestigationandtheDistrictAttorneysofce,
which also sent representatives. The result of
thedialoguewastheformationofapermanent
communitytaskforceandtheestablishmentof
a working relationship between the task force
andstateandfederallawenforcemententities.
York,Pennsylvania
In March 2011, CRS conducted a Responding
toAllegationsofRacialProling:BuildingTrust
betweenthePoliceandtheCommunitytraining
program with local law enforcement ofcials.
Approximately 30 command and patrol-level
ofcers, as well as several Field Training Of-
cers participated. The training was requested
by the local police department in an effort to
improveuniformedpolice-communityrelations.
Also in attendance were representatives from
thePennsylvaniaHumanRelationsCommission
andthePennsylvaniasHeritageAffairsOfce,
who spoke on Ethnic Intimidation Statutes in
thePennsylvaniaStateCrimesCodes.
Danville,Virginia
InAugust2011,CRSworkedwithlawenforce-
mentofcialsandcommunityleadersfollowing
reports of increased Ku Klux Klan activity and
theimpactitwashavingonthecommunity.CRS
serviceswererequestedjointlybythecommu-
nity and law enforcement so they could learn
aboutapproachesthatothercommunitieshave
implemented to ensure cohesion and reduce
fearinthefaceofsupremacistactivity,andhow
tobesthandlepublicmarchesbyhategroups.
WhatIenjoymost
about this work is
seeing the look of
satisfaction in the
eyes of people who
havejustreached
a mutually accept-
able solution. Every-
onecomes to the
tablewithastory
andauniqueper-
spective.Thechallengeistogetpeopletosee
the same picture, recognize the problems, and
to help them move forward and resolve their
conicts. Asafacilitator,Iapplytheleadership
rule of the Xhosa king that had been taught to
NelsonMandela:Leadfromthebackandem-
powerotherstobelievetheyareinfront.
KnightSor
ConciliationSpecialist
Mid-AtlanticRegion
14 9
A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R
SOUTHEAST
REGION 4
KY
TN NC
SC
MS
AL
GA
FL
RE G I O N A L R E P O R T S
SoutheastRegion
Region4
Alabama,Florida,Georgia,Kentucky,
Mississippi,NorthCarolina,
SouthCarolina,Tennessee
Murfreesboro,Tennessee
Following plans of a local religious group to
constructaMosqueinthecity,tensionsdevel-
oped between Muslim residents and commu-
nity members who oppose the Mosque. Many
Muslim community members reported threats,
harsh interactions with non-Muslim commu-
nity members, and a sharp rise in the bullying
of Muslim students in schools. By request of
theNashvilleFieldOfceoftheFederalBureau
of Investigation, CRS began working with rep-
resentatives from the organization planning to
build the Mosque, school district ofcials, lo-
callawenforcementpatrolofcersandSchool
Resource Ofcers to conduct an Arab-Muslim
Cultural Awareness & Protocol training semi-
nar, and to generally open-up dialogue be-
tweentheparticipantsandMuslimcommunity
leaders. More than 120 people participated in
thetrainings.Inadditiontothetrainingpartici-
pants, several representatives from state hu-
manrightsorganizations,thestateDepartment
of Education, the NAACP, and the U.S. Attor-
neys Ofce for the Middle District of Tennes-
seeobservedthetraining.
Lucedale,Mississippi
OnApril15,2011,CRSdeployedtoGulfport,Mis-
sissippi to provide technical assistance, com-
munity outreach, and contingency planning in
preparation for a pending announcement re-
garding the closing of an investigation into the
shooting death of an African American male
byawhiteDeputySheriff.Thedeceasedwasa
17-year-old high school student, and it was al-
leged that his death occurred shortly after he
wasstoppedbytheDeputy.
Fayetteville,NorthCarolina
OnMay18,2011,CRSdeployedtoFayetteville,
NorthCarolina,attherequestofalocalpolice
departmentandtheCityofFayettevillesHuman
Rights Commission in the aftermath of height-
ened racial tension in the African American
community. The racial tension stemmed from
a report published by the North Carolina State
BureauofInvestigation(NCSBI)thatallegeda
signicantly disproportionate number of stops
and searches of African American motorists
compared with White motorists by the local
police department. CRS conducted two train-
ing sessions designed to address community
allegations of racial proling. Approximately
Police Ofcers from a local law enforcement agency in
North Carolina listen to community members express
concernsaboutracialprolingduringaconciliationses-
sionconvenedbyCRS.(PhotoCourtesyoftheFayetteville
Observer/RaulRubiera)
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15
RE G I O N A L R E P O R T S
180policeofcersand80communitymembers
participated in the rst session held at a local
church. The second session was held on the
campusofFayettevilleStateUniversity,where
approximately85policeofcersand60commu-
nitymembersparticipated.
MIDWEST
REGION 5
MI
MN
WI
MI
OH
IL IN
MidwestRegion
Region5
Illinois,Indiana,Michigan,Minnesota,
Ohio,Wisconsin
Bloomington,Indiana
On May 14, 2011, CRS responded to concerns
resultingfromthevandalismoftheIndianaUni-
versityJewishCenterinBloomington,Indiana.
Windows at the Center had been broken by
rocks,religioustextsweredefaced,aMenorah
wasvandalized,androckswerethrownatoc-
cupantsoftheJewishCenter.CRSworkedwith
UniversityPolice,theDeanofStudents,Jewish
studentleaders,andanestablishedBlooming-
tonbasedanti-racismgrouptocreateanadvi-
sorygroupandhatecrimesresponsecoalition.
Gaylord,Minnesota
CRS responded to a request for services re-
gardingallegationsofracialprolingofHispan-
ic residents in the city by a local law enforce-
ment agency. Racial proling and intimidation
hadallegedlycausedmanyHispanicresidents
to move, depleting the labor pool at a major
meat processing employer. In response to the
allegations, CRS organized a comprehensive,
county-wide approach that involved providing
jointtrainingforlawenforcementofcialsand
Hispaniccivicleaders,workingwithstudents
and school administrators, as well as work-
ingwiththeChamberofCommerceandother
civicorganizations.
Cleveland,Ohio
CRS worked with the United States Attorney
(USA) for the Northern District of Ohio in ad-
dressing complaints from some of Clevelands
African American residents and civil rights
groups over alleged discriminatory treatment
by white bar owners toward African Ameri-
canpatronsinClevelandsWarehouseDistrict.
CRS provided Conict Resolution and Cultural
Competencytrainingandfacilitatedadialogue
betweenCityofClevelandelectedofcialsand
administration ofcials, the local police de-
partment, Warehouse District business own-
ers, residents, civil rights groups, clergy, and
students. Over 100 attendees participated in
theCRSleddialogueandtraining.OnMarch4,
2011, CRS and the USA witnessed the signing
oftheClevelandWarehouseDistrictMemoran-
dumofUnderstanding.CRSassistedtheparties
in reaching consensus on provisions and pro-
tocolsrelatingtocommunication,training,non-
discrimination,andstandardsofbehavior.
Marshall,Minnesota
InApril2011,two14-year-oldfemalehighschool
studentscommittedsuicideinMarshall,Minne-
sota. The two girls were believed to have been
bullied because they were thought to be in a
lesbianrelationship.Thesuicidesrenewedcon-
cerns among lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-
gender (LGBT) advocates in Minnesota, which
had experienced several anti-gay bullying sui-
cidesinthepastyear.CRSconvenedaseriesof
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A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R

RE G I O N A L RE P O R T S
meetings in Minneapolis-St. Paul with a state-
wide LGBT advocacy organization to discuss
school resources for anti-LGBT bullying and
trainingforlocalpoliceofcers,schoolresource
ofcers (SROs), and counseling staff. CRS also
provided technical assistance in the form of a
referraltoaschooldistrictinanotherstatewith
whomCRShadworkedpreviouslyonschoolbul-
lyingissuesandhadformulatedananti-bullying
actionplan.
Thebestpartofbeingaconciliatorisworking
withdiversecommunitiesfromvariouscultures
andbackgrounds. IcouldbetalkingwithSomali
youthandapolicechiefoneweek,andmediat-
ingbetweencityofcialsandanIndiantribethe
next. Ihelpgroupsgetpasttheirexteriordiffer-
ences so that the true interests of the parties
andtheirownpeacemakingpotentialcanbere-
vealed. The Conciliator exposes solutions that
arealreadythere;wemerelyhelpthepartiesto
getoutoftheirownway.Ofequalbenetismy
training as a lawyer. It has helped me to apply
logicandrigortosituationswhereemotionstend
toleadpartiesawayfromreason.
Whileweresomewhatinsulatedfromthedemo-
graphictrendsfoundonthecoasts,theMidwest
hasthelargestArab-Muslim,Somali,andHmong
communitiesinthecountry.Wealsohavelarge
African American populations in our cities, a
plethoraofAmericanIndianNations,andgrow-
ingHispaniccommunitiesItsbeautiful.
JustinLock
Conciliator,
MidwestRegion
SOUTHWEST
REGION 6
OK
AR
NM
LA
TX
SouthwestRegion
Region6
Arkansas,Louisiana,NewMexico,
Oklahoma,Texas
Dallas,Texas
OnApril22,2011,CRSwitnessedthesigningofa
MemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU)between
theDallasBranchoftheNAACPandtheDallas
IndependentSchoolDistrict.CRSserviceswere
requestedinresponsetoallegationsthatpend-
ing budget cuts within the Dallas Independent
School District would signicantly impact Afri-
canAmericanstudentsinpoorneighborhoods.
CRSconductedmediationsessionsandassisted
the parties with constructing an MOU that fo-
cused on establishing trust and a willingness
toconsultandcooperatewitheachother.They
agreed to partner on accountability issues and
the needs of minority students and parents in
the district. Through mediation, CRS was suc-
cessful in assisting the parties with developing
a committed partnership that will facilitate col-
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RE G I O N A L RE P O R T S
laborativeapproachesforaddressingtheneeds
ofAfricanAmericanstudentsandparentsinthe
schooldistrict.
Arlington,Texas
On May 25, 2011, CRS witnessed the signing of
amediationagreementbetweenAfricanAmeri-
can, Asian American, and Hispanic community
leaders. The partnership created between the
groupsisarstfortheircommunities.Theparties
agreedtocreateacommunitycoalitiontoallow
minority leaders representing greater Arlington
tosharepowerandworktogetherinthespiritof
cooperation,aswellastounitetospeakasone
voiceforissuesthataffectminorityresidentsre-
latedtoeducationandquality-of-lifematters.
NewOrleans,Louisiana
DuringFY2011,CRScontinuedtoprovidetechni-
cal assistance and training services in the City
ofNewOrleansrelatedtocommunityconcerns
about perceived biased policing practices, the
excessive use of force by police,
law enforcement corruption, and
ongoing issues related to shooting
deaths of citizens by law enforce-
mentduringHurricaneKatrina.CRS
provided technical assistance re-
gardingthecreationofpolicecom-
munity advisory boards throughout
the city. CRS services have also
resulted in conict resolution train-
ing being provided for more than
300 law enforcement rst-line su-
pervisors and commanders, and
training for police-community co-
ordinatingofcers and community
leaders.NumerousCRS-ledforums
and capacity-building projects to
improve police interaction with
residents, youth, and civic leaders
werealsoconducted.
One of the most
fascinating things
about our work
at CRS is that al-
though we are an
extremely small
agency, we con-
tinuetohaveatre-
mendous impact
on the communi-
tiesthatweserve.
Whether assisting the parties with establish-
ing a human relations commission, an advisory
board or other self-sustaining partnerships, our
services help to decrease tension in communi-
ties. The greatest reward is knowing that our
serviceshaveadirectimpactonimprovingrela-
tionships and resolving long-standing conicts,
issuesandconcerns.
SynthiaDemons
ActingRegionalDirector,
SouthwestRegion
ArtistKatieAckerlypreparesavisualthinkingboardcontainingideasthat
weredevelopbyyouthambassadorsduringaDepartmentofJusticespon-
soredTribalYouthSummitinNewMexico.CRSconductedaSPIRIT(Stu-
dentProblemIdenticationandResolutionofIssuesTogether)workshop
duringtheSummit.
18 9
A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R

RE G I O N A L RE P O R T S
CENTRAL
REGION 7
IA
NE
MO KS
CentralRegion
Region7
Iowa,Kansas,Missouri,Nebraska
KansasCity,Missouri
CRSfacilitatedthedevelopmentofanactionplan
andtheJune30,2011,signingofamediatedagree-
mentbetweenaLatinocivicengagementorgani-
zation and Kansas Citys City Manager. CRS was
contactedbyamemberofaLatinocivicengage-
mentorganizationbasedonthegroupsbeliefthat
the local Hispanic community was categorically
ignoredduringhearingsonredistricting.CRSmet
andcommunicatedwithorganizationmembersand
the citys Human Resources
Commission. The agreement
included the formation of a
HispanicAdvisoryCommittee,
an equal employment com-
mittee, and enhanced efforts
bytheCitytoincreaseitsmi-
nority employment and con-
tractingoutreachactivities.
Wichita,Kansas
CRS provided self-marshal-
lingtrainingto30volunteers
foramarchthatwaspartofa
three-daygaypridefestival.
CRS also coordinated communication between
march organizers, marchers, and local police
on June 26, 2011. CRS became involved at the
requestofmembersofanLGBTadvocacygroup
based on their concerns about the potential for
violencebyanti-LGBTactivists.Thegroupfeared
a recurrence of disruptions by fundamentalist
churchmembersfromanothercitywhohaddem-
onstratedduringtheirpreviousfestivals,including
aparticularlydisruptiveanti-LGBTactivistwhoal-
legedlyassaultedamemberoftheirsteeringcom-
mitteeduringthepreviousyearsevent.
Fremont,Nebraska
On December 15, 2010, CRS met with local po-
lice department ofcials to discuss protocols
usedduringpoliceinteractionswithnon-English
speaking Hispanic residents. Both the police
department and Hispanic community leaders
requestedCRSinvolvementinresponsetocon-
cerns about a community perception of inap-
propriate treatment of the aggrieved population
during police contacts. Nineteen ofcers and
several community representatives participated
inthetraining,whichwasintendedtobeameans
ofbridgingculturaldivides.
MarchersparticipateinaPrideparadeinWichita,Kansas.CRSbecameinvolved
attherequestofmembersofanLGBTadvocacygroupbasedontheirconcernsabout
thepotentialforviolencebyanti-LGBTactivists.(PhotoCourtesyoftheWichitaEagle)
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RE G I O N A L R E P O R T S
When I st art ed
working with CRS
in 1972, America
was a lot less tol-
erant and things
werejuststartingto
reboundfromallof
the issues of the
late 1960s. I had
previouslyservedin
the Marine Corps,
beenwithanEqual
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
REGION 8
ND
MT

SD
WY
UT
CO
Opportunity Commission, and had done some
advocacy work in support of Latino and African
Americancauses.So,IthoughtIdseenjustabout
everything.LetsjustsaythatIhadnot.Ivebeen
under re ve times in my life, and each time it
waswhileworkingforCRS.
One of those instances was when I was de-
ployed for 63 days during the Wounded Knee
conict.Aco-worker(JohnPerez)andIwent
intothecompoundbeingheldbyNativeAmeri-
canprotestorstotryandmakesomeprogress
with negotiations, and a four hour reght
broke out between the protestors and law
enforcement while we were there. Yet, two
dayslater,IwasabletogetaMemorandumof
Understanding between the government and
theprotestors.Iamproudofwhatweaccom-
plished there lives were saved and culture
waspreserved.
Today,raceandethnicrelationsaredifferent.
Wedontseeasmanyofthesametypeofcon-
ictsthatwedealtwithinthe70s,butthereare
stillmany,manyracial,nationalorigin,andgen-
deridentityrelatedtensionsthattearcommuni-
ties apart and leave victims in their wake. Our
workisasimportanttodayasithaseverbeen.
PascualMarquez
RegionalDirector,
CentralRegion
RockyMountainRegion
Region8
Colorado,Montana,NorthDakota,
SouthDakota,Utah,Wyoming
Millard,Utah
CRS worked with the leadership of the Paiute
Tribe and the Utah Department of Indian Affairs
in response to tensions that arose from the
perceiveduseofexcessiveforceagainsttribal
membersbyalocalcountySheriffsDepartment.
In addition to the provision of conciliation ser-
vicestoaddresstensions,CRSprovidedtraining
toattendeesoftheUtahSheriffsAssociations
annual conference. The agreement to allow
this training was a culmination of a number of
conciliation meetings between Tribal leaders
andlawenforcement.CRSwasabletoobtaina
mutualcommitmentfromthepartiestocontinue
theirworktowardstrengtheningrelations.
SaltLakeCity,Utah
A regional Islamic society, supported by sev-
eralhumanrightsandethnicorganizations,re-
questedCRSassistanceinresolvingissuesof
perceiveddisparatetreatmentbytheUtahAir-
portAuthorityaftertheAuthorityclosedanon-
denominationalchapelthatwasbeingusedby
Muslimcabdrivers,airportworkers,andtravel-
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A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R

RE G I O N A L RE P O R T S
erstoaccommodatetheirprayerrituals.Senti-
mentsexpressedbyMuslimcommunityleaders
following the closure raised additional issues
such as the no-y list, security screenings of
Muslim travelers, and general perceived bias-
esdirectedtowardMuslimsattheairport.CRS
metwiththecommunityleaders,theTranspor-
tation Security Administration, and the City of
SaltLaketoestablishlocalcapacitytoaddress
concernsinthefuture.
FremontCounty,Wyoming
CRSrespondedtotensionsbetweentwoarea
tribes and the Fremont County Commission
regarding allegations of discrimination on the
basis of race, color, or national origin associ-
atedwiththevotingrightsofAmericanIndian
residents.FremontCountyssystemofat-large
voting for county commissioners was deter-
minedbyaU.S.DistrictCourttoviolatefederal
law by diluting the American Indian vote. In
additiontothevotingrightsissues,therewere
alsostandingtensionsbetweenthetribesand
the county on issues such as sovereignty and
jurisdiction. CRS facilitated a community edu-
cationdialogueonOctober13,2010.Following
the dialogue, the parties agreed to continue
collaboration and formed an Understanding
TribalGovernmentCommittee.
WESTERN
REGION 9
NV
AZ
CA
Pacific Ocean
N. Pacific Ocean
HAWAII
HI
GUAM
WesternRegion
Region9
Arizona,California,Guam,Hawaii,Nevada
Tucson,Arizona
On May 11, 2011, a local law enforcement ex-
ecutive and local community organizations re-
quested assistance in response to community
tensionsthatdevelopedfollowingaMay3,2011,
police deployment at a Tucson Unied School
District meeting. The meeting was held in re-
sponse to ongoing community concerns over
theterminationofLatinostudieswithintheTuc-
son Unied School District. The meeting was
controversial and the police received informa-
tion about counter-protest plans for the event.
Alargepolicepresencewasdeployedandsev-
eral arrests were made. Outside the meeting,
students formed a human chain and incidents
werecapturedonvideoallegedlyshowingapo-
liceofcershovingstudentstotheground.The
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RE G I O N A L RE P O R T S
videoincidenttransformedthecontroversyfrom
the school district to a police-community rela-
tionsissueandCRSwasinvolvedinfacilitating
areconnectionintherelationshipbetweenthe
policeandcommunitymembers.
Studentsformahumanchainaroundaschooladministrationbuildingto
prevent a meeting of ofcials that they were concerned would lead to
bansonethnicstudiesprogramswithintheirschooldistrict.
(PhotoCourtesyoftheTucsonCitizen/DavidMorales)
Sacramento,California
On May 6, 2011, two elderly Sikh men were
gunneddowninElkGrove,California.Noknown
motive for the shooting has been identied.
Since9/11,theSanFrancisco-Sacramentocor-
ridor has experienced more than a half-dozen
high-proleincidentsassociatedwithpost9/11
backlashevents.Thesnipernatureofthesekill-
ingsimmediatelyraisedcommunityanxietyand
CRS responded the day following the incident
to meet with local community leaders, elected
ofcialsandlawenforcementtoprovideavis-
ible presence and to engage the community.
Theincidentremainsunsolved.
ElDorado,California
CRS services were requested by community
activistswhohadbeenrequestingtheremoval
of the N word from 36 gravestones. The ac-
tivists did not believe that County Supervisors
were being inclusive in hearing the concerns
and ideas of the community that was most in-
timately impacted by the inscription on the
gravestones. The gravestones are inscribed
withtheNwordbasedonafederalandState
ofCaliforniadesignationfortheremainsofun-
known African-American settlers during the
1800s.OnMay20,2011,CRSmetwith
stakeholders to mediate concerns.
Following two additional mediation
sessions,anagreementwasreached,
andamongotherthings,moreappro-
priate gravestones will be developed
toreplacethosefoundtobeoffensive.
Ihavealwaysbeeninvolvedinthistypeofwork.
Myfamily,elders,andcommunityallledmeto-
ward this career. What I like most is working
with groups as they tackle divisive issues. Of-
ten,thereisasenseofhonorandobligationthat
emergesoncepeoplerealizetheyareengaged
inprocessesthathavethepowertocohesively
transformtheircommunity.
TheWesternRegioncontains10percentofthe
U.S.populationandseveralmajorurbancenters
thatareundergoingrapidpopulationshifts. We
gettoseemacrotrendsandpatternsaswellas
the micro impact that they have on a commu-
nitysresources,tools,andcapacitytoaddress
differences.
JamesWilliams
Conciliator,
WesternRegion
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NORTHWEST
REGION 10
WA
OR
ID
ALASKA
AK
Pacific Ocean
NorthwestRegion
Region10
Alaska,Idaho,Oregon,Washington
Seattle,Washington
FollowingthefatalshootingofanurbanAmeri-
canIndianbyalocalpoliceofcer,theWash-
ington State Indian Civil Rights Organization
requested that CRS contact the Citys Mayor
and facilitate a meeting between the Mayor,
American Indian leadership, and local police.
OnDecember17,2010,CRSwason-siteatthe
MayorsOfce,CityofSeattle,tofacilitatethis
dialogue with the stakeholders. The dialogue
focusedontheallegedfailuretoprovideurban
American Indians information about available
services, an alleged lack of services, insuf-
cientaccesstoservices,aneedtostrengthen
the communitys relationship with the Mayors
Ofce,andaperceivedlackofAmericanIndian
employees in the Citys workforce. More than
20urbanAmericanIndianleaders,representa-
tivesoftheCitysAmericanIndiangovernment
employees association, and American Indian
RE G I O N A L RE P O R T S
community-basedorganizationsparticipatedin
themeeting.
Meridian,Idaho
OnApril6,2011,CRSparticipatedinaneduca-
tional summit that focused on eliminating ha-
rassment,bullying,andhatecrimesinschools.
CRSDeputyDirectorwasthekeynotespeaker
of the opening summit for educators and ad-
ministrators. Thiseducationalsummithadtwo
focalpoints:
[1] eliminating harassment, bullying and
hatecrimesinschoolsand,
[2] introducing resources for administra-
tors and educators. An array of DOJ
resources were introduced to make
administrators and educators aware
ofthedifferentprogramsandtechnical
assistanceavailabletothem.Thesum-
mitprovidedtoolstohelpschoolspre-
ventandrespondtotheseseriousand
persistentissues. Thesummitenabled
districtstafftobecomeknowledgeable
about the current legal requirements
schoolsmustmeet;understandhowall
studentsareaffected;andlearnstrate-
gies for preventing and responding to
incidents of harassment, bullying, and
hatecrimesinschools.
Having more than
27 years of experi-
enceasaU.S.Mar-
shal and a pol i ce
offi cer, and also
being raised in a
predominantly Lati-
nocommunity,Ive
alwaystriedtobe
a conduit between
law enforcement
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RE G I O N A L RE P O R T S
and communities of color. My work at CRS
feelslikeanaturalprogressioninacareerspent
working to make life better for all through mu-
tualunderstandingandthesharingofideas.
RosaMelendez
NorthwestRegionalDirector
CRSSeniorConciliatorWalterAtkinsonleadsalawenforcementmediationsessionbetweenalocalpolicedepartment
andcommunitymembers.
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A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R

CRS RE G I O N A L A N D F I E L D OF F I C E L O C A T I O N S
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CRSHeadquarters
CommunityRelationsService
600EStreet,NW,Suite6000
Washington,D.C.20530
202/305-2935
202/305-3009FAX
CRSRegionaland
FieldOfces
NewEnglandRegionalOfce
(CT,MA,ME,NH,RI,VT)
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
408AtlanticAvenue,Suite222
Boston,MA 02110
617/424-5715
617/424-5727FAX
NortheastRegionalOfce
(NJ,NY,PR,VI)
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
26FederalPlaza,Suite36-118
NewYork,NY10278
212/264-0700
212/264-2143FAX
Mid-AtlanticRegionalOfce
(DC,DE,MD,PA,VA,WV)
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
U.S.CustomHouse
200SecondandChestnutStreet,Suite208
Philadelphia,PA 19106
215/597-2344
215/597-9148FAX
SoutheastRegionalOfce
(AL,FL,GA,KY,MS,NC,SC,TN)
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
61ForsythStreet,SW,Suite7B65
Atlanta,GA30303
404/331-6883
404/331-4471FAX
FieldOfce
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
51SWFirstAvenue,Suite624
Miami,FL 33130
305/536-5206
305/536-6778FAX
MidwestRegionalOfce
(IL,IN,MI,MN,OH,WI)
CommunityRelationsService
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
230SouthDearbornStreet,Suite2130
Chicago,IL 60604
312/353-4391
312/353-4390FAX
FieldOfce
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
211WestFortStreet,Suite1404
Detroit,MI48226
313/226-4010
313/226-2568FAX
C O M M U N I T Y R E L A T I O N S S E R V I C E44A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 1
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CRS RE G I O N A L A N D F I E L D OF F I C E L O C A T I O N S
SouthwestRegionalOfce
(AR,LA,NM,OK,TX)
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
1999BryanStreet,Suite2050
Dallas,TX 75201
214/655-8175
214/655-8184FAX
FieldOfce
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
515RuskAvenue,Suite12605
Houston,TX77002
713/718-4861
713/718-4862FAX
WesternRegionalOfce
(AZ,CA,GU,HI,NV)
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
888SouthFigueroaStreet,Suite1880
LosAngeles,CA 90017
213/894-2941
213/894-2880FAX
FieldOfce
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
90SeventhStreet,Suite3-300
SanFrancisco,CA 94103
415/744-6565
415/744-6590FAX
CentralRegionalOfce
(IA,KS,MO,NE)
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
601East12thStreet,Suite0802
KansasCity,MO 64106
816/426-7434
816/426-7441FAX
NorthwestRegionalOfce
(AK,ID,OR,WA)
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
915SecondAvenue,Suite1808
Seattle,WA 98174
206/220-6700
206/220-6706FAX
RockyMountainRegionalOfce
(CO,MT,ND,SD,UT,WY)
U.S.DepartmentofJustice
CommunityRelationsService
1244SpeerBoulevard,Suite650
Denver,CO 80204-3584
303/844-2973
303/844-2907FAX
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A M E R I C A S P E A C E M A K E R
U.S. Department of Justice
Community Relations Service
www.justice.gov/crs