Schedule of Events

Since the 1970s, the population in the federal prisons in the United States has caused so many adverse effects in many communities in the United States, especially on individuals who are part of marginalized communities. The United States has one of the largest numbers of citizens who are incarcerated; there are over five million people in the legal system, but mass incarceration has not been equal. Black people make up about 40% of the incarcerated population, and they only make up about 13% of the general population. Black men are six times more likely and Black women are twice as likely to be incarcerated than the White population. Out of the more than 700,000 marijuana arrests made every year, Black people are four times more likely to be arrested than white individuals, even though Blacks and Whites use drugs at a similar rate. It is also estimated that one in three Black men will experience incarceration at some point in their lifetime, which is a really large amount, and this also leads to the multigenerational cycle. Research shows that socioeconomic disadvantage and increased policing in poorer communities contribute significantly to higher incarceration rates. Policies such as zero-tolerance school discipline and heavy law enforcement presence in schools have also increased youth involvement in the criminal justice system. Historically, incarceration rates rose due to political and policy decisions, including the War on Drugs, police militarization, and tough sentencing laws like the “three strikes” rule.

The frequency and intensity of disasters, particularly natural hazards, are increasing as the climate changes. These events pose significant economic and social risks to communities, underscoring the importance of effective disaster preparedness and recovery strategies. Small businesses are especially vulnerable in this context, as they often lack the financial capacity, institutional support, and technical expertise to withstand and recover from disaster-related disruptions. At the same time, small businesses play a critical role in local economies and community recovery, providing employment, essential goods and services, and social stability following disasters. Understanding the existing resources available to small businesses, the factors that shape their vulnerability, and the policy frameworks that influence resilience is therefore essential to strengthening disaster management efforts and promoting long-term community resilience. This project examines the resources available to assist small businesses with disaster management, the factors that contribute to small business vulnerability within a disaster context, and aims to identify policy frameworks that could strengthen disaster resilience for small businesses and the communities they serve.

In the wake of the destruction caused by the Palisades Fire in early January 2025, questions continue to be raised about how public safety was threatened by outdated, poorly functioning communication equipment and the effect this had on civic capacity (engagement). Civilians who were impacted by the tragedy of the fire have struggled to understand why they were so deeply affected and left behind by an emergency management system that should have, in their view, performed flawlessly. The purpose of this study is to analyze the connection between civic capacity (engagement) and emergency communication infrastructure in wildfire prone communities. This study first engages in a literature a review of what communication systems were in use to alert the public and assist first responders at the time of the Palisades fire (or lack thereof). Secondly, this capstone study engages in an investigation on if the introduction of a moderated public safety portal (infrastructure) would have an impact on civic capacity (engagement). This project builds on previous research conducted by the author in the Politics of Community Development course.