Ep. 34 What Does Real Public Safety Look Like? (Feat. John Kim)

The 1992 Los Angeles uprising, sparked by the acquittal of officers in the brutal beating of Rodney King, exposed deep cracks in the systems meant to protect and serve. More than thirty years later, what actions can we take to create real public safety practices that center justice, equity, and community care?

Joining us to explore these questions is John Kim, President and CEO of Catalyst California (formerly Advancement Project California). John shares his personal reflections on the uprising and how it continues to shape his work today. He also discusses how Catalyst California is helping to advance a new vision of safety—one that moves away from traditional policing and invests in community-centered solutions like Alternative Traffic Enforcement.

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Resources

John Kim is the President and CEO of Catalyst California (formerly Advancement Project California), a leading racial justice organization that champions systemic change to achieve equity and expand opportunity across the state. Throughout his career, John has been a strong advocate for community-driven solutions that address structural barriers in public education, voting rights, public finance, and public safety. Under his leadership, Catalyst California has been at the forefront of efforts to reimagine justice and safety by investing in alternatives to policing and advancing policies that center the needs and voices of historically marginalized communities. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to building a more just and inclusive California.

Website: www.catalystcalifornia.org

Instagram: @catalystca

Learn more about Alternative Traffic Enforcement programs and community-based safety models at:

www.catalystcalifornia.org/initiatives/reimagine-justice-safety

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