“Knowing Your Environments” is a specialized training course designed for law enforcement, community leaders, and outreach workers to bridge the gap between street-level intelligence and community-based solutions. Hosted by the Gang Investigators Association, this program emphasizes that effective public safety requires more than just suppression; it requires an intimate understanding of the unique social, economic, and physical landscapes where gang activity occurs.

Course Highlights

• Community-Centric Intelligence: Learn to identify gang identifiers (signs, symbols, and social media trends) through the lens of community impact rather than just prosecution.
• Environmental Design (CPTED): Utilize Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design to assess how physical structures, such as unlit alleys or graffiti-prone areas, influence criminal behavior.
• Relationship-Based Policing: Develop “professional understandings” and authentic partnerships with residents and intervention workers to de-escalate violence without immediate arrests.
• Resource Mobilization: Training on how to connect at-risk youth with established community programs like G.R.E.A.T. or local tattoo removal and mentorship services.
• Paradigm Shift Strategies: Move from traditional “crime control” to a public health model aimed at resolving the root causes of violence, such as poverty and limited economic opportunity.

This course prepares investigators to be “peacemakers” who can navigate sensitive environments while fostering the public trust necessary for long-term safety.