The Crossroads Convening
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Co-hosted by John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Columbia Justice Lab, the Convening will address the most pressing safety and justice issues impacting New Yorkers today. New York City stands at a pivotal moment in its history. Not only is the City safer than it was three decades ago, but fewer New Yorkers are subject to incarceration or state supervision (probation/parole). New York has demonstrated that it is possible to simultaneously advance safety and liberty. Despite this success, New York City still has more to do to address ongoing concerns about safety in our communities and the effectiveness and fairness of public safety strategies in the City.
The Crossroads convening will highlight public safety issues that must be addressed to create safety for all New Yorkers, including:
- Continuing to adopt strategies that will further reduce rates of violence, particularly gun violence, which are still too high.
- Addressing public disorder, which is still a significant impediment to a vibrant community life.
- Ensuring that efforts to enforce of the law are balanced with investments in prevention of crime in the community.
- Enhancing the role of communities in producing safety.
- Supporting victims and healing communities.
This two-day event will center these pressing issues and identify opportunities for reforms that will sustain New York City’s status as the Safest City in America, reckon with past harms, and safely reduce incarceration.
May 13, 2025
8:15am - 9:15am: Continental Breakfast and Registration
9:15am: Welcome and Opening Remarks
Karol V. Mason, President, John Jay College
Jeremy Travis, Senior Fellow, Columbia Justice Lab
9:30am: Reckoning with the Impacts of the Criminal System on People and Communities
This panel will confront the deep and lasting impacts of the criminal legal system on individuals, families, neighborhoods, and entire communities. Panelists will share personal experiences, research, and policy insights to illuminate how systemic harm, from over-policing to incarceration, affects all facets of life from economic stability to mental health to community cohesion. The discussion will center on pathways toward accountability, repair, and transformative change.
Speakers
- Moderator: Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO and Executive Director, FPWA
- Jamila Hodge, Executive Director, Equal Justice USA
- Andre Ward, Executive Director, Institute for Justice & Opportunity
- Danielle Sered, Executive Director, Common Justice
- Khalil Cumberbatch, Director of Engagement and Partnerships, Council on Criminal Justice
10:50am: The Future of the Violence Intervention and Community-Driven Public Safety Solutions
This panel will examine the evolving landscape of violence intervention and community-driven public safety strategies. Leaders in grassroots organizing and research will share insights on what’s working, what’s changing, and how to sustain impact over time. The discussion will highlight innovative, community-rooted models that prioritize prevention, healing, and long-term safety without overreliance on traditional enforcement.
Speakers
- Moderator: Alana Sivin, Director, Greater Justice New York Initiative, Vera Institute
- Basaime Spate, Director, Street Action Network, Center for Justice Innovation
- Jeffrey Butts, Director, Research and Evaluation Center at John Jay College
- Juan Ramos, Executive Director, Southside United
- Akeisha Knights-Ogudoro, Director, Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program, One Brooklyn Health
12:30pm - 1:45pm: Lunch
1:45pm: The NYC Landscape on Public Safety – Reality and Perception
This panel will delve into the current state of public safety in New York City, examining both statistical trends and public perception. Panelists will discuss how media coverage, personal experience, and political narratives shape the way safety is understood by different communities. The conversation will aim to inform more effective policies and communication strategies.
Speakers
- Moderator: Christina Greer, Associate Professor of Political Science, Fordham University
- Harry Siegel, Senior Editor, The City; Columnist, New York Daily News
- Dana Kaplan, Director of Justice Reform, National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform
- Charles Fain Lehman, Fellow, Manhattan Institute
- Marlon Peterson, Executive Director, College & Community Fellowship
- Susan Kang, Associate Professor of Political Science, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
3:00pm: Addressing Disorder on the Streets and Public Transit
This panel will explore practical strategies and policy solutions for reducing disorder in public spaces, including streets and transit systems. The speakers will examine the root causes of visible disorder, such as homelessness, substance use, and mental health crises, and discuss collaborative approaches to intervention and prevention that balance public safety, compassion, and accessibility.
Speakers
- Moderator: Errol Louis, NY1
- Jeffrey Brenner, CEO, The Jewish Board
- Jeff Coots, Director, Punishment to Public Health (P2PH) at John Jay College
- Arvind Sooknanan, Member and Board Director, Fountain House
- Tom Harris, President, Times Square Alliance
4:15pm: Repairing Harm – Supporting Victims & Healing Communities
This panel will focus on approaches that support victims of crime and promote healing within communities most affected by violence and trauma. Experts in victims advocacy, restorative justice, and community engagement will discuss strategies for addressing harm within and outside the criminal justice system. The conversation will highlight the importance of centering survivors' needs while fostering long-term resilience and healing in impacted neighborhoods.
Speakers
- Moderator: Bea Hanson, Director, New York State Office of Victim Services
- Saloni Sethi, Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence
- Bernadine Y. Waller, Assistant Professor, Principal Investigator (DIVAA Lab), Director of Community Engagement, ENGAGE, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- Liz Roberts, President and CEO, Safe Horizon
- Kira Shepherd, Vice President of Organizing and Policy, Common Justice
May 14, 2025
8:00am - 9:00am: Continental Breakfast and Registration
9:00am: Lessons in Innovation – What Can NYC Learn from the Rest of the Country?
This panel will explore innovative public safety and justice reforms being implemented in cities across the country, and how New York City can adapt and apply lessons learned. From alternative crisis response models to data-driven policing and community-led initiatives, panelists will share successes, opportunities, and key takeaways from their local experiences. The discussion will highlight the value of learning from diverse approaches to build a safer, more equitable New York City.
Speakers
- Moderator: Courtney Bryan, CEO, Center for Justice Innovation
- Erin Dalton Director, Allegheny County Department of Human Services
- Jessica Yager, Senior Director, Housing Justice Initiatives, Center for Justice Innovation
- Yolanda Lewis, Executive Vice President of Justice System Design, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
- Joel Caplan, Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and Collaborations, Rutgers University-Newark
- Chico Tillmon, Executive Director, Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy
10:15am: The Role of Enforcement in Safety & Justice
This panel will examine the complex role of law enforcement in promoting both public safety and justice. Panelists will discuss how policing intersects with community trust, accountability, and broader systems of prevention and support. The conversation will explore how enforcement can be balanced with community-driven approaches to create safer, fairer outcomes for all New Yorkers.
Speakers
- Moderator: Ben Tucker, NYPD First Deputy Commissioner, retired
- Chauncey Parker, Director, New York/New Jersey HIDTA
- Meg Reiss, Chief Assistant District Attorney, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
- Brandon del Pozo, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Health Services, Policy, and Practice (Research), Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- David Kennedy, Founder, National Network for Safe Communities
11:30am: Breaking Cycles of Incarceration to Close Rikers Island
This panel will explore strategies to reduce reliance on incarceration as a pathway to permanently closing Rikers Island. Speakers will discuss what it takes to break the cycles of arrest, detention, and recidivism. The conversation will focus on sustainable alternatives that promote safety, accountability, and long-term community well-being.
Speakers
- Moderator: Krystal Rodriguez, Policy Director, Data Collaborative for Justice at John Jay College
- Hon. Joseph A. Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge, New York State Unified Court System
- Stan German, Executive Director, NY County Defenders
- Darren Mack Co-Director, Freedom Agenda
- Hernandez D. Stroud, Senior Fellow, Brennan Center for Justice
- Zachary Katznelson, Executive Director, Independent Rikers Commission
12:40pm: Closing Remarks - Commitment for the Future
Stanley Richards, CEO, The Fortune Society
Learn more about the panel topics and featured speakers.