Baton Rouge Hosts National League of Cities Peer Exchange
This week, Baton Rouge hosted representatives from over 20 cities for the National League of Cities “Municipalities Reimagining Community Safety Initiative” Peer Exchange. The event was a powerful gathering of city leaders focused on justice, safety, violence prevention, and reentry, providing an invaluable opportunity for learning and collaboration.
Tuesday was filled with exploration and deep dives into Baton Rouge’s public safety efforts. Participants started the day by walking to the River Center Library before heading to key site visits. They toured the Tool Time Summer Youth Employment program and the Real Time Crime Center, gaining a firsthand understanding of how these initiatives are making a difference in our community.
After the tours, everyone gathered at the River Center Library for lunch and a panel discussion. The discussion highlighted Baton Rouge's comprehensive approach to creating a public safety ecosystem, including city staff, community partners, and residents.
The afternoon featured breakout sessions tailored to different networks, such as the City Justice Policy Advisors Network and the Municipal Reentry Leaders Network, where attendees delved into relevant issues and shared best practices—the day concluded with the Safe, Hopeful, Healthy Baton Rouge team’s monthly ecosystem meeting, offering another layer of insight into local collaborative efforts.
Wednesday started with breakfast at the Watermark Hotel’s Founders Room, where attendees were encouraged to represent their cities or organizations, and the morning featured a national panel discussion on sustaining community and justice-driven safety initiatives, with contributions from Cities United, the Center for American Progress, and the National Network for Safe Communities.
Following the panel, attendees engaged in table discussions, sharing their local experiences and strategies for building and maintaining effective community safety programs. The exchange wrapped up with a collective determination to apply the knowledge gained and strengthen the bonds formed over these three days.
Final Thoughts
Baton Rouge’s current public safety ecosystem provided a rich backdrop for these discussions, highlighting both successes and areas for potential growth. We're proud that our city is part of the national conversation about creating safer communities. As we continue building and refining, the insights and connections made during this event will be crucial in advancing community safety initiatives nationwide.
