DC has the highest police per capita rate of any large city in the country, disproportionately impacting Black residents, who are most likely to experience police violence. In two years, HWD has trained and mobilized 15,000 people to provide care, defense, and legal support, and to organize for policy change. Its Safety Team is equipped to respond to city-wide crises through de-escalation, medic and mental health assistance, and support for people in jail; its Courtwatch program encourages community members to attend en masse to ensure the accountability of judges and prosecutors. HWD also teaches people facing charges how to navigate the legal system, allowing some to win their cases, secure employment and housing, and even vote for the first time. For HWD, true safety means empowering community members to be agents of change.
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