Amid a broken policing system, endemic community violence, and enduring colonial trauma, a vibrant grassroots movement is working to redefine public safety and cultivate restorative justice in Puerto Rico.
Kilómetro 0, a police accountability organization in San Juan, documents abuse by law enforcement and empowers community members to resolve conflicts without police involvement. Taller Salud, a feminist nonprofit in Loíza, facilitates relationships with community leaders and at-risk youth to disrupt gang violence and foster reconciliation. Intercambios Puerto Rico, a harm reduction group in Fajardo, advocates for decriminalizing drug use and addressing addiction with compassionate, humanitarian policies.
These community groups are signal fires for a progressive paradigm shift in Puerto Rico—a new model that challenges the island’s over-reliance on police as first responders and prioritizes restorative practices over retributive policies.
This reporting project explores how community-based organizations in Puerto Rico respond to social problems through a restorative justice lens. Reporting Fellow Isabelle Senechal reports on the unique conflict intervention and peace-building efforts made by local groups as they work to mitigate systemic and interpersonal violence in Puerto Rico.
Caption: Wreckage from Hurricane María lines the beach in Loíza's Parceles Suarez community in 2023, six years after the storm devastated Puerto Rico. Image by Isabelle Senechal. United States.
