Community Safety Toolkit by MacArthur Foundation

A comprehensive, equity-focused resource for building safer, healthier neighborhoods through community-driven strategies.

The Community Safety Toolkit, developed by the Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC) with support from the MacArthur Foundation, is a research-informed, actionable guide for community leaders, advocates, and local governments to address public safety beyond traditional law enforcement. By centering community voices and advancing equity, the toolkit equips users with frameworks, practical tools, and real-world examples to foster environments where everyone, including women runners, can move freely and safely. Its adoption has catalyzed new partnerships, policy reforms, and grassroots initiatives aimed at reimagining public safety in U.S. cities.

What you should know:

How they promote women’s running safety:

• By advocating for environmental design, community engagement, and trauma-informed approaches, the toolkit addresses root causes of public space insecurity, including those that disproportionately affect women runners (e.g., poorly lit routes, lack of bystander support, and insufficient reporting mechanisms).

What the Toolkit provides:

• A step-by-step framework for assessing, planning, and implementing community safety initiatives.

• Guidance on centering equity and lived experience in safety planning.

• Tools for conducting community safety audits, including environmental scans and surveys relevant to public spaces like parks and running routes.

• Case studies from U.S. cities that have piloted innovative, non-carceral safety solutions.

• Templates for needs assessments, community engagement, and evaluation.

Key safety tips included:

• Encourage community ownership of public spaces through events, patrols, and stewardship programs.

• Improve environmental safety (lighting, visibility, signage) in parks and along running routes.

• Establish clear, accessible channels for reporting harassment or violence.

• Foster inclusive programming that addresses the needs of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other historically marginalized groups.

Link: https://safetyandjusticechallenge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CommunitySafetyToolkit.1.1.2024.pdf 

Take action/learn more:

• Download and review the toolkit to assess and improve safety in your community.

• Join or form a local safety coalition to sustain community-driven safety efforts.