Sydney Gold
Sydney Gold sid-nee gold (she/her/hers)

Sydney Gold is majoring in magazine, news and digital journalism and political science at Syracuse University. She has worked for The Daily Orange, The Newshouse and The South Side Stand, and was an editorial intern at Ad Age in 2021.

La reforma policial en EE. UU., es fragmentaria, no integral

ALBUQUERQUE – Reformar un sistema vasto y complejo de aplicación de la ley requerirá soluciones innovadoras y probadas, un enfoque holístico y la voluntad de cambiar. Hasta ahora, hemos visto "reformas en los bordes", con departamentos, ciudades y estados particulares que abordan elementos de la reforma policial.

Police reform in U.S. is piecemeal, not comprehensive

ALBUQUERQUE – Reforming a vast, complex system of law enforcement will require innovative and proven solutions, a holistic approach and the willingness to change. So far, we’ve seen “reform around the edges” – with individual departments, cities and states tackling elements of police reform.

Elaine Maestas, left, a community oriented response and assistance responder in Albuquerque, New Mexico, makes a phone call alongside Albuquerque Community Safety responders Chris Blystone and Deborah Vigil on July 7, 2022. They responded to the aftermath of a SWAT raid that left a family of five without a home. (Photo by Kate Heston/News21)

Civilian agency in Albuquerque responds to nonviolent police calls

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Albuquerque Community Safety, launched in 2021, responds to the city’s non-violent calls – from welfare checks and mental health crises to shelter space requests. City officials say they have diverted thousands of calls from police.

Albuquerque Community Safety responder Chris Blystone makes a phone call while police officers talk on July 7, 2022, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The new agency responded after a police SWAT raid left a family of five without a home. (Photo by Kate Heston/News21)

New Orleans police monitor has hope for meaningful reform

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Police Department has been under a federal consent decree for a decade. National experts have highlighted it as a model of reform, but the independent police monitor who holds the department accountable has a more measured response.

New Orleans is on track to claim the title of murder capital of the nation this year, according to the Metropolitan Crime Commission. The recent spike in violent crime comes at a time when the police department is understaffed. (Photo by Kate Heston/News21)

Police departments test ways to improve officers’ mental health

Law enforcement officers report higher rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts. Police officials say departments should implement comprehensive officer support programs – and address potential problems before they can “mushroom.”