Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

410 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 1

4. Who are the current officials representing the community locally, statewide, and nationally (aldermen, city council members, state representatives, state senators, congressional persons, senators)? How involved/informed have they been of the community’s needs and potentials? 5. Who are the civic leaders for the community? 6. What are the organizations and/or institutions that have been associated with resisting injustice and inequality within the community? What are the premier advocacy organizations in the community, and who are their leaders? 7. What are the key political action groups or committees within the community? Who is in charge of these groups and what are their political agendas for the community? 8. How much of the cities resources and goods (dollars, personnel, projects, urban improvements, street maintenance, public services, etc.) have been allocated to this community, and how have those allocated resources been spent and distributed within it? Who are the liaisons serving as “middle-persons” in charge of this distribution? 9. What are the primary political affiliations of the residents within the community? What is the political history of the affiliation of the community at-large? VII. How Does the Community Dispense Justice by the Law and the Courts? 1. How do most residents describe the status of law enforcement and the administration of justice in the community? 2. Who are the current leaders in the administration of justice in the community (Chief ofpolice, District attorney, etc.)? 3. What courts are located within the community? Who are the key public prosecutors and judges within the community? What is their record regarding the protection of the community and enforcement of the law on behalf of the community? 4. What are the latest statistics regarding the numbers and types of crimes committed within the community, and/or delinquency? 5. What are the numbers of residents currently being incarcerated in city, state, and federal jails or prisons? 6. What provision is made for the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders? What level of provision has been made regarding the offenders families during the incarceration of the offenders?