Consultant shares community empowerment strategies for development and safety challenges

The Wilmington Intergovernmental Committee Meeting held on May 7, 2025, focused on addressing community development and safety challenges through a framework of community empowerment. The meeting featured a presentation by a consultant from Mayer Strategic Solutions, LLC, who emphasized the importance of the CAP method—Community Empowerment, Accountability, and Transparency—in fostering long-term positive change in community practices and policies.

The consultant, drawing on over 15 years of experience in community law and significant involvement in national policing reform efforts, outlined the CAP method's three essential components. Community empowerment is crucial, particularly for residents in areas with high crime rates and negative police interactions. The consultant argued that those most affected by these issues should have a voice in decision-making processes related to law enforcement and community safety.

Accountability was highlighted as the second component, advocating for mechanisms that deter misconduct within law enforcement agencies. The consultant stressed the need for both internal and external accountability systems to work in tandem. Transparency, the final component, was defined as the collaboration among four key community aspects: law enforcement, government officials, community members, and the media. This interconnectedness is vital for ensuring proactive strategies that support community development and safety.

The presentation also included insights from the consultant's previous work in Nashville, Tennessee, where they assessed the civilian complaint process for the Metropolitan Nashville Community Oversight Board. This assessment aimed not only to evaluate existing policies but also to empower local stakeholders to continue improving their systems after the consultant's involvement ended.

In conclusion, the Wilmington meeting underscored the significance of community-driven approaches to safety and development. By centering discussions around empowerment, accountability, and transparency, the committee aims to create a more inclusive and effective framework for addressing the challenges faced by Wilmington residents. The next steps will likely involve further engagement with community members and the implementation of the CAP method to foster lasting change.