Community-Centered Evidence Building

Uses data analysis and expertise to inform and support policy changes, such as standardized data reporting laws and race-conscious reforms, and convenes thought leaders through speaker series to advance criminal justice reform.

Collects, harmonizes, and publishes county-level criminal justice data across U.S. jurisdictions using a standardized methodology to enable cross-jurisdictional comparison and transparency. This includes developing tools and processes for data extraction, classification, and structuring.

Develops and maintains Commons, a community-driven data platform launched in partnership with local jurisdictions, to share criminal justice performance data, support policy goals, and promote transparency and public engagement.

Designs and refines standardized performance measures for criminal justice systems, including case processing from arrest to post-conviction and policing activities, through expert consultation, stakeholder input, and piloting.

Operates a public-facing, free national data portal providing standardized, county-level criminal justice data from multiple states, with filtering capabilities by demographic factors and case characteristics, enabling public access and informed decision-making.

Generates printable county-level reports summarizing performance on criminal justice measures, including disparities and outliers, to support accountability and public understanding.

Conducts data audits and provides technical assistance to criminal justice agencies, including system mapping, data dictionary development, staff training, and data operations improvement, to enhance data quality and operational efficiency.

Provides community engagement services, including outreach, bridge-building, and data literacy education, to support data-driven decision-making and community-led initiatives in criminal justice reform.

Partnered with Preserve Plum Island and over 100 organizations in a successful campaign to prevent the federal sale of Plum Island. Also advocated for responsible development through zoning change discussions and house size regulations.

Partnered with the North Fork Deer Alliance, Town, County, and the North Fork Environmental Council to develop and promote sustainable plans to reduce deer overpopulation and mitigate tick-borne disease risks in Southold Town.

Completed a comprehensive study of Orient's water resources, including fresh, salt, and waste water, published in 2024, and conducted a community survey in October 2023 on water contamination and reliability. Also documented land use and development capacity in Orient as of 2016.

Provides assistance to residents in accessing New York State and Suffolk County grants of up to $20,000 for advanced septic system installations, with additional support for low- and moderate-income homeowners and prioritized access for properties in environmentally fragile areas.

Organizes and hosts regular forums to inform and engage the community on topics including emergency preparedness and response, volunteer opportunities, and local water resource sustainability. These include annual meetings featuring public officials and experts, as well as recurring general membership forums.

Hosted public forums on ticks and tick-borne diseases, including topics such as Alpha-Gal Syndrome, tick prevention, yard management, and deer population control, with events held in August 2024 and other dates.

Conducts forums to educate the community about water resource sustainability, quality, saltwater intrusion, and public water pipeline plans, including a specific forum on October 25, 2025, with the Suffolk County Water Authority.

Provides recognition and protection to historic landmarks to prevent incompatible alterations or demolition, evaluates proposed changes to visible facades, and promotes heritage tourism as part of preserving the town's historic resources.

Offers educational resources and best practices for protecting groundwater and local water bodies, including distribution of a conservation brochure and facilitating free PFAS water testing through coordination with Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

Provides platforms for residents to express community priorities and values, supports collective action on local concerns, and facilitates discussions on proposed zoning changes to enable community feedback.