Before You Call the Cops…

Ask yourself if you can say “A.D.I.O.S” to the police instead

Autumn Elizabeth
Jul 28, 2017 · 1 min read

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself before calling the police in order to avoid endangering members of your communities who are vulnerable to police harassment and violence:

Assessment: Assess how the situation may be worsened by police presence especially for members of marginalized and systemically oppressed communities. For example: If the police exhibit racist behavior, will it make the situation worse?

De-escalation: Can the situation be de-escalated safely with the skills others in the space are able to contribute such as nonviolent communication or mediation?

Impact: Is the impact of the situation more important than the impact of calling the police? For example: If the police show up to question you about your stolen wallet and discover that one of your roommates is undocumented and deport them, would it be worth it?

Options: Can the situation be addressed by calling another number such as the emergency mental health hotline 1‑800‑273‑TALK or other local resources or by requesting an ambulance as opposed to the police?

Support: Is there a way for your community to support you in achieving your desired outcome without involving the police?

The Alternative Justices Project

Many of us dream of alternatives to state-sanctioned justice systems that are flawed by power and perpetuate harm. This is our attempt to turn hope into action and dreams into reality. https://www.alternativejustices.com

Autumn Elizabeth

Written by

Writer, Scholar, Outlaw

The Alternative Justices Project

Many of us dream of alternatives to state-sanctioned justice systems that are flawed by power and perpetuate harm. This is our attempt to turn hope into action and dreams into reality. https://www.alternativejustices.com

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