In pockets of neighborhoods across the country, crime and violence spill out from properties known as drug houses, making nearby families feel like prisoners in their own homes. Individuals on those streets are often forced to hide during gunfire and face illegal drugs, prostitution, and even assault or murder. The negative impact of constant trauma and a lack of safety are well documented.
Founded in 2009 by Dallas lawyer Reid Porter, Act empowers residents living in high crime areas to fight illegal activity on their street through providing access to the civil justice system and the legal tools necessary to take back their neighborhood. By representing families who are not safe because of crime and violence in their neighborhood, Act works to hold the owners of crime-ridden properties accountable and eradicate criminal activity from the property.
Act’s model uniquely empowers residents by focusing on their requests for safer streets and peace at home. Act builds a team around each resident, bringing neighbors and other stakeholders together to build social cohesion and fostering collective efficacy. Act seeks to build a collective ecosystem that weaves together neighbors, community organizations, local churches, local government offices, law enforcement, and partner law firms - the results are equipped and empowered residents, safer neighborhoods, and a more vibrant, connected, and inclusive community.
Act provides a private solution to a public problem and is based on the latest in place-based criminology. Through strengthening the social bonds of trust in a community, Act is able to bring about lasting change to the neighborhoods where it serves to equip and empower residents with the tools and resources they need to become their own advocates. By empowering those closest to the problem, the residents themselves, we see the effective, lasting eradication of crime and violence in a neighborhood.
Act cares not only about the physical transformation of the neighborhoods and places where clients live, but also about the spiritual transformation of all its stakeholders as well. Act proclaims that Jesus is Lord over all creation, over every street, and puts its motivation and model in the context of the Christian calling to love your neighbor and bring about God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven - shalom, the ultimate reconciliation of all that has been broken.
Act has established a regional model in the Dallas/ Fort Worth metroplex and is poised for national expansion.
