While “dangerousness” assessments are touted as an effort to reduce reliance on pretrial detention by detaining only those deemed a risk to public safety, very little is known about whether these considerations in bail decision-making would reliably decrease pretrial detention or reduce racial and ethnic disparities, the very two things the original legislation was meant to address.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office conceived the WHCRRP and partnered with Osborne and TCMF to plan and implement the multi-pronged initiative, which seeks to address community trauma, promote long-term healing among residents, and sustain the reduction in violence that occurred following the law enforcement intervention in West Harlem in June 2014.

Named for former New York City mayor John Lindsay, the Fellowship seeks to recognize his legacy by recruiting new, upcoming elected officials—especially from communities of color and other groups underrepresented in government leadership—and seek ways to advance their growth, learning, and careers.