WHO WE ARE
TOCA Colorado works to enhance community collaboration to increase neighborhood safety and promote violence prevention.
TOCA derives from the Spanish Word “touch”. We are inspired by the traditions of Indigenous communities, Black communities, and the mutual-aid model. By emphasizing a community-centered, non-law enforcement strategy, we root a holistic approach based on proven research.
We are not here to create a new service but to create a connection between neighborhoods, services, pieces of training, access to funding, and advocacy.
We used research-based, proven strategies to:
Create & identify community-centered alternatives to policing.
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Transition our city response from an over-reliance on law enforcement to restorative & healing practices.
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Support communities in creating their own unique public safety solutions.
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Help communities acquire the resources they need to be safe
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How do we define public safety?
Public safety ensures that all members of the community decide how to organize a social environment that provides the freedom to live and thrive with the protection and support of social, physical, mental and economic well-being. Safety is not a function of armed paramilitary forces with a proven track record of racism and violence. Public safety prevents, reduces, and heals harm.
OUR BACKGROUND
In 2020, we witnessed the murders of George Floyd and Elijah McClain across the nation.
From this event, a coalition of over 40 local organizations, community members, local researchers, and city employees came together and asked, “What is Community Safety?” The Task Force to Reimagining Policing and Public Safety was the result of conversations from town halls with community members, faith leaders, service providers, elected officials and Denver Department of Public Safety determined to move towards action and healing.
Through this working group came 112 recommendations for community safety to the City of Denver. The first 11 recommendations center around creating a community-led office of neighborhood safety. After working with Denver to make this under the city's umbrella, we realized we needed to be able to operate outside the political will of elected officials and work alongside our City rather than within it.
The Denver Taskforce to Reimagine Policing and Public Safety continues to focus on Community Powerbuilding, while TOCA is focused on Healing & Empowerment and Community Development.
Empowering and connecting communities
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Community Resources
Connect with the organizations helping Denverites thrive.
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Reports & Data
Research our extensive database of public safety data and reports.
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Community Events
Join the community building happening all over the city.