I’ve been asked many times over the years as to what I think needs to be done in order to reduce the level of violence and criminal behavior in our society today. To say this is a loaded question would be an understatement, but I would share some thoughts.

No application of laws or penalties will provide meaningful change. No level of government intervention or increased social programs will truly impact the behavior that has brought us to our current reality. So, is it harsher punishment or greater leniency? I would submit that the answer is both and neither.

Having spent the past 30 years in law enforcement, responding to calls of violence against another, destruction of property, drug abuse, mental health crisis’ and various incidents related to simple human behavior at all ages, I have arrived at what I feel is a starting point for change. It’s not an easy starting point, and will challenge both our capacity for tolerance as well as our acceptance for action.

There are two fundamental tenants that if applied equally and consistently, have the potential for change; Love and Accountability.

I’ll start with Love, only because it is the foundation of our very existence. If we look back in history, we see that the most significant leaps forward were achieved when rooted in the wellbeing of others, not the demise of others. We have seen great strides in the human condition when we view each other as equals and acknowledge the value that each individual brings to the collective efforts, rather than diminishing the value of another.

In the efforts to reduce violence, we must first start to love each other once again, not just those who may look like us or think like us, but those who challenge our beliefs, and our norms. We must be able to see value in others, even if they devalue themselves by their behavior. We can show dignity for those who struggle to find dignity in themselves.

Many times, those who act out in violence are they themselves the product of violence. This is an important consideration when we attempt to apply judicial deterrence. Without getting to know the background, history or trauma that another is dealing with, we will most times apply ineffective corrective measures. This is the very foundation of Trauma Informed Care. That we look to those who struggle and ask not:” What’s wrong with you?”, but rather “What Happened to You?”

We have made many strides in this approach to criminal behavior, by applying such principles. This is what Love looks like in our Justice System. But it is only half of the equation. What we have to guard against is the over application of leniency, which would then turn our efforts of change into efforts of enabling. This is where accountability comes in.

Throughout human history, we have seen various approaches to accountability inn varying degrees of severity and leniency. While there is room for variation in the level of accountability, the need and application of accountability is undeniable. It is in fact the application of accountability that is in and of itself a form of love. Just as a parent must correct the behavior of a child, so as to instill essential life skills, so to must a society hold each member accountable so that each member can in turn be a positive contributing, member of that society. While there may be mitigating factors to criminal behavior, those factors do not, and cannot serve as a universal exception to accountability. I fear this is where we are currently in our culture.

We see too often, the claim of trauma to excuse a behavior that by any measure is unexpectable. There is the ability to recognize what others have been through, not to serve as a crutch that is leaned on, but rather, to use as a strength. It should be part of our work to create an environment where struggle and hurt do not define us, but rather become the foundation from which we build upon. It is of no value to merely compare scares or pain, but to share those events that have challenged us so to impart upon the next generation the comfort of knowing that challenges have always been part of our existence. We do this so that they too will persevere through those challenges rather than succumb to them.

So where do we start such a daunting journey? There is a famous quote, that every journey begins with a simple first step. We start by once again demonstrating love to those around us, while accepting accountability for or own actions. In the end, it is only ourselves that we have control over, and that is a great place to start!