Thomas D. Allison

10/25/2023

Register now so you can tune into the first session tonight at 7pm, live on zoom!

Click here to register: advocacyproject.org/beloved-community-training

07/30/2022

Founded in April of 2020, we launched the Justice Center University of La Vernerne to keep our students engaged in dynamic learning opportunities throughout the pandemic. Glad to see our efforts coming to fruition. Check out this story of the community education work we have started.

Much more to come.

The city of West Covina has recognized the University of La Verne Justice Center for providing community-based curriculum for youth entrepreneurship.

07/29/2022

I have the coolest life. I taught two courses in public administration these last two weeks at University of La Verne. What a rewarding experience. My students were from South America (Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, and Peru). They are phenomenal human beings who made this a transformative experience for me. I have so much gratitude for having gotten this experience.

04/15/2022

The journey thus far has been encouraging and inspiring. I greatly appreciate all who have supported me thus far and would love to see you at an upcoming meet-and-greet! We will have yard signs for you to proudly display your support and pamphlets to help you spread the word to your neighbors and friends. Have questions or want to get involved? Message us at or send us an email [email protected]. Thank you!

12/21/2020

Holiday celebrations look different this year, but one thing can be the same....delicious treats from our family to yours! Quantities are limited so place your order today!

10/25/2020

Due to Lieutenant Cortina experiencing a shift change, we need to reschedule our talk. We thank him for his service and wish him safety as he works to keep his community safe.

10/25/2020

Please join us today at 3:00 pm for part two of our tough talk on policing with Lieutenant Tony Cortina of West Covina Police Department as we unpack revisioning policing.

10/24/2020

Please don't forget to join us this morning at 9 am for our CA propositions study session if you are still undecided on your votes.

10/11/2020

My talk with Lieutenant Cortina of West Covina Police Department last night, though the first of several, covered a few things:

1. In policing, legitimacy comes before compliance (obedience)--the legal presumption of freedom to all individuals is an actual thing in American history and was even applied during the times of slavery.

2. We need to assess our language, both in the way policing is done (commands, etc.) and how we seek to approach the conversation of revisioning/reform.

3. Procedural justice, trust, transparency, and positive communication are necessary elements of community policing, but they mean different things to different communities--police serve all.

4. Having police bear personal responsibility for errors in doing the police job would deter many from applying and becoming officers, but that does not necessarily mean the unions they pay into cannot carry insurance that covers them (developing this more).

5. There is potential for negotiating a revisioning of policing, but it shouldn't come to the detriment of the officers--no cut in pay, mental health breaks, only involved in crimes against person and property, increased and diversified training, collaboration with other agencies/services when necessary, etc.

6. And other things, watch the video. It is raw conversation.

I take a position probably not popular to many. I think police should have MORE resources, but LESS guns. Further, I believe MORE resources should be devoted to making sure these other services are better represented in public safety, BUT not under the police umbrella. I'd like to expand the scope of public safety beyond police and fire. There is much more to this vision. Lieutenant Cortina also has a vision for the future of policing. How far apart are our visions? find out next time.

We are only two people hoping to get conversations started in communities elsewhere. You may not agree with either of our visions (as you will learn, we don't necessarily agree with each other), but we hope you agree the conversation is necessary. To view the discussion from last night, click here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=449202436066885.

09/26/2020

Tonight she cries
Little hope for tomorrow
Tonight she cries
Her pain drowned in sorrow
Tonight she cries
Justice too long delayed is justice denied
Tonight she cries
Praying the space in her bosom where hope resides never dies