For decades, policing and community relationships have been defined by problems to be solved. Crime, disorder, and mistrust have been approached as issues that require fixes—more policies, tougher laws, new programs. But what if we’ve been looking at this all wrong? What if, instead of seeing what’s broken, we started by seeing what’s good?
This is the shift that Project PACT challenges communities and police departments to embrace: moving from a deficit mindset to an abundance mindset—from seeing neighborhoods as problems to be fixed, to seeing them as possibilities waiting to be realized.
The Limits of Problem-Solving
For years, the traditional approach to community safety has been reactive. Leaders identify issues, analyze statistics, and implement enforcement-driven solutions. But despite all the effort, many of the same problems persist.
“If you see someone as a problem to be solved, that’s all they will ever be to you. But if you see them as a person with potential—someone with gifts, talents, and something to offer—that’s when real change happens.” – Mike Butler
The problem-solving model only looks backward—it focuses on what has gone wrong. But it rarely asks: What is already working? What strengths already exist in this community?
A Different Approach: Building on Strengths
Mike Butler’s leadership in Longmont, Colorado, was built on a simple but radical idea: people respond better when you focus on what’s right with them rather than what’s wrong with them.
Rather than asking, How do we fix what’s broken? the better question is:
- What’s already good in this community, and how can we expand it?
- What are people already doing to create safety, trust, and connection?
- How can we support and grow these efforts?
This strengths-based approach changed everything. It led to lower crime, deeper trust, and stronger neighborhoods—without over-relying on enforcement.
The Power of Invitation Over Enforcement
One of the biggest barriers to real change is the belief that someone else is responsible for fixing the problem. Communities assume it’s the police. Police assume it’s city leadership. But the reality is, real transformation happens when people are invited into the process.
“The most powerful tool we had was an invitation. When people feel seen, valued, and included in shaping their community, they step up in ways we never could have imagined.” – Mike Butler
This happened over and over again in Longmont. When neighbors were invited to build connections, trust grew. When officers were invited to engage with community members beyond enforcement, relationships changed. When community leaders were invited to focus on what’s strong instead of what’s wrong, real transformation happened.
How This Changes Public Safety
A lens of goodness doesn’t mean ignoring problems—it means approaching them differently. It means:
- Seeing communities as partners, not problems.
- Focusing on strengths instead of just weaknesses.
- Shifting from a culture of blame to a culture of shared responsibility.
At Project PACT, we believe that policing and public safety must evolve. The future is not about more enforcement or more Band-Aid solutions. The future is about activating the strengths that already exist within our communities.
A Call to Action: Be Part of the Solution
The question is not just How do we reduce crime? The real question is:
How do we create communities where crime is less likely to happen in the first place?
This starts with seeing people and neighborhoods through the lens of goodness—through their potential, not their problems. It starts with focusing on what’s possible, not just what’s broken. And it starts with each of us choosing to be part of the solution.
“The work doesn’t end here. In fact, this is just the beginning. If we want real change, we must keep showing up, keep listening, and keep building a better future together.” – Mike Butler
We invite you to stay connected with Project PACT as we continue the conversation and push for meaningful change in public safety. Visit projectpact.org to learn more about our initiatives or book a free consultation call. Subscribe to Beyond the Bandaids, and follow us on social media to stay engaged. Together, we can reshape public safety and create communities where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered.
