Community Relations Service helps cities address diversity issues.

This article continues The Weekly's coverage of resources available to cities searching for ways to further racial and ethnic understanding. Earlier articles described community dialogue groups (March 4, 1996), a campaign to encourage candid conservations on race (June 3, 1996), and diversity education programs for adults and children (September 9 and September 30, 1996).

Some cities boast of their diversity and consider it a significant asset. Other cities struggle with the antagonism that can surface when groups clash with each other or with local government.

If your city is in such a struggle, one federal agency has some suggestions to offer.

The Community Relations Service (CRS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice for more than 30 years, mediates racial disputes and seeks to increase pub!ic access to government for all citizens regardless of race, color or national origin.

CRS reports many communities learn the hard way--through disruptions--the importance of acknowledging and respecting their diversity.

When Trouble Brews

CRS experience reveals that outbreaks of civil disorder may be attributed to two volatile community dynamics known to create extraordinary tension. This tension can be energized and put into motion by one triggering incident.

The first condition that can lead to disorder is perceived disparity of treatment. This occurs when:

* a minority group believes its rights are being neglected or violated;

* non-minorities perceive that minorities have received social benefits at their expense; or

* hate groups press for superiority over other groups or races.

When hate group W activity occurs, the number of participants in the hate group is generally small, but everyone in the community is affected. Communities expect officials and leaders to respond strongly to reinforce shared community values and civil rights. They expect their local elected officials and community leaders to publicly reiterate that physical violence, harassment, or other discriminatory acts will not be tolerated.

If physical violence has already occurred, then CRS suggests local officials publicize their expectation that everyone be treated with dignity and respect. Emphasize the value of human life. Encourage every member of the community to respond to hate activity.

Insist that local, state and federal laws will be respected and enforced, and that investigations into violent attacks will be prompt and thorough with results made public as soon as possible.

Restoring a sense of security critical to community stability and reducing tension. This can be done through visible police patrols, neighborhood watch and other volunteer efforts, and interjurisdictional law enforcement cooperation.

The second community dynamic that can lead to civil disturbances is lack of confidence in public redress systems.

CRS has seen race relations deteriorate overnight in communities that have not had a major racial incident, or questionable police shooting in many years. Why? One incident touched on something in the collective memory of part of the community, and residents doubted their local government's ability to respond appropriately

Effective redress systems that are widely publicized help to keep current incidents from bringing the past to life and turning back the progress of communities.

Especially important are perceptions of and by police and fire departments which must respond and act rapidly in emergency situations. These employees are very visible representatives of local government and generate strong public reactions when misunderstandings and problems occur.

Prevention Activities

Compare your city's efforts with this list of suggestions from CRS to help prevent racial and ethnic conflict.

* Enact local ordinances to protect civil rights and promote harmonious race relations. Establish a human relations commission. Prohibit hate activity and discrimination. Protect voting rights.

* Assure all groups in the community have access to local government and decision-making. Are all groups well-represented on appointed boards and commissions?

* Each municipal department should adopt internal and external procedures to protect and promote civil rights, especially in police departments and schools.

* Adopt community policing techniques. Encourage community partnerships between police and community advisory groups to work on drug enforcement, immigration, policing high crime areas, gang control, and similar problems.

* Foster increased community input in schools through parent/student councils, police and school cooperation agreements, outreach programs for parents, mediation training for students and faculty, and in-service training addressing diversity issues.

CRS Assistance

CRS offers assistance to communities wishing to implement guidelines and ordinances dealing with race, color, or national origin. Many cities decide to prohibit discrimination on other bases as well, such as sex, religion, age, disability and others. CRS can make available ordinances and policies to serve as models.

CRS can provide contingency planning, training, and prevention assistance and conciliation and mediating assistance for disputes and conflicts stemming from race, color and national origin.

For more information about CRS' assistance and how to contact CRS' 10 regional and four field offices, call CRS headquarters in Washington, D.C. at 202/305-2966, or send a fax to them at 202/305-3009.

For more information about other government agencies working on civil rights and diversity issues, call Patricia Reichler, NLC's project manager on diversity and local governance, at 202/626-3030.

Polly Dredge is co-editor of the upcoming NLC guidebook, "Local Official's Guide to Governing Diverse Communities."