Vera Action
@veraaction.bsky.social
Fighting to end mass incarceration, protect immigrants’ rights, restore dignity to people behind bars, and build safe and thriving communities.
Want to know how to tackle crime as a Democrat? Just look at mayors’ races.
In Detroit, Cleveland, New York, and other cities, candidates who owned a proactive safety agenda won handily.
Watch this ad from Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield’s campaign in Detroit (4/7):
In Detroit, Cleveland, New York, and other cities, candidates who owned a proactive safety agenda won handily.
Watch this ad from Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield’s campaign in Detroit (4/7):
November 12, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Want to know how to tackle crime as a Democrat? Just look at mayors’ races.
In Detroit, Cleveland, New York, and other cities, candidates who owned a proactive safety agenda won handily.
Watch this ad from Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield’s campaign in Detroit (4/7):
In Detroit, Cleveland, New York, and other cities, candidates who owned a proactive safety agenda won handily.
Watch this ad from Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield’s campaign in Detroit (4/7):
The new paradigm on safety includes new solutions to prevent crime, respond to crisis, and stop violence.
There is a majority view among voters about what works to break the cycle of crime. A "serious about safety" approach consistently beats a "tough-on-crime" one. (3/7)
There is a majority view among voters about what works to break the cycle of crime. A "serious about safety" approach consistently beats a "tough-on-crime" one. (3/7)
November 12, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The new paradigm on safety includes new solutions to prevent crime, respond to crisis, and stop violence.
There is a majority view among voters about what works to break the cycle of crime. A "serious about safety" approach consistently beats a "tough-on-crime" one. (3/7)
There is a majority view among voters about what works to break the cycle of crime. A "serious about safety" approach consistently beats a "tough-on-crime" one. (3/7)
As the Republican advantage on the economy evaporates and after convincing wins by Democrats last week, the GOP will likely use crime as a wedge issue to blunt Democrats’ momentum in the midterms.
Trump has already declared that "crime will be a big subject of the midterms." (2/7)
Trump has already declared that "crime will be a big subject of the midterms." (2/7)
November 12, 2025 at 5:33 PM
As the Republican advantage on the economy evaporates and after convincing wins by Democrats last week, the GOP will likely use crime as a wedge issue to blunt Democrats’ momentum in the midterms.
Trump has already declared that "crime will be a big subject of the midterms." (2/7)
Trump has already declared that "crime will be a big subject of the midterms." (2/7)
This plan is an effort by Cuomo to boost his mayoral campaign—but he is seriously missing the mark.
Voters don’t want new buildings on Rikers Island. In fact, Vera Action research shows that New York voters favor the transition to borough-based jails.
Voters don’t want new buildings on Rikers Island. In fact, Vera Action research shows that New York voters favor the transition to borough-based jails.
October 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM
This plan is an effort by Cuomo to boost his mayoral campaign—but he is seriously missing the mark.
Voters don’t want new buildings on Rikers Island. In fact, Vera Action research shows that New York voters favor the transition to borough-based jails.
Voters don’t want new buildings on Rikers Island. In fact, Vera Action research shows that New York voters favor the transition to borough-based jails.
From Republicans and Democrats alike, voters are usually offered only one approach to public safety: "we need to get tough on crime."
But time and time again, our polling has shown that voters prefer when candidates talk about investing in real solutions to prevent crime:
But time and time again, our polling has shown that voters prefer when candidates talk about investing in real solutions to prevent crime:
August 25, 2025 at 7:20 PM
From Republicans and Democrats alike, voters are usually offered only one approach to public safety: "we need to get tough on crime."
But time and time again, our polling has shown that voters prefer when candidates talk about investing in real solutions to prevent crime:
But time and time again, our polling has shown that voters prefer when candidates talk about investing in real solutions to prevent crime:
Research from Vera Action and GSG (May 2025) shows:
Virginia voters prefer an approach to crime that is "serious about safety"—not "tough on crime."
Virginia voters prefer an approach to crime that is "serious about safety"—not "tough on crime."
August 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Research from Vera Action and GSG (May 2025) shows:
Virginia voters prefer an approach to crime that is "serious about safety"—not "tough on crime."
Virginia voters prefer an approach to crime that is "serious about safety"—not "tough on crime."
Too many politicians have lost sight of what our communities actually want and need when it comes to safety.
@replsimon.bsky.social sets the record straight: we should invest in things like mental health treatment, education, food security, and better policing. #NN25 @netrootsnation.bsky.social
@replsimon.bsky.social sets the record straight: we should invest in things like mental health treatment, education, food security, and better policing. #NN25 @netrootsnation.bsky.social
August 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Too many politicians have lost sight of what our communities actually want and need when it comes to safety.
@replsimon.bsky.social sets the record straight: we should invest in things like mental health treatment, education, food security, and better policing. #NN25 @netrootsnation.bsky.social
@replsimon.bsky.social sets the record straight: we should invest in things like mental health treatment, education, food security, and better policing. #NN25 @netrootsnation.bsky.social
Join us alongside @replsimon.bsky.social, @anatosaurus.bsky.social, and @richardafowler.bsky.social for a #NN25 deep dive on how progressives can win (and have been!) by making safety and justice a core part of their platform without going "tough on crime."
Thursday at 2:15pm CT in room 292!
Thursday at 2:15pm CT in room 292!
August 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Join us alongside @replsimon.bsky.social, @anatosaurus.bsky.social, and @richardafowler.bsky.social for a #NN25 deep dive on how progressives can win (and have been!) by making safety and justice a core part of their platform without going "tough on crime."
Thursday at 2:15pm CT in room 292!
Thursday at 2:15pm CT in room 292!
We can do more than just react to crime when it happens. We can also work to prevent it.
Vera Action director Insha Rahman joined the @democraticmayors.bsky.social Community Over Chaos Summit in Cleveland to discuss how cities are investing in strategies to address the root causes of crime.
Vera Action director Insha Rahman joined the @democraticmayors.bsky.social Community Over Chaos Summit in Cleveland to discuss how cities are investing in strategies to address the root causes of crime.
July 31, 2025 at 6:05 PM
We can do more than just react to crime when it happens. We can also work to prevent it.
Vera Action director Insha Rahman joined the @democraticmayors.bsky.social Community Over Chaos Summit in Cleveland to discuss how cities are investing in strategies to address the root causes of crime.
Vera Action director Insha Rahman joined the @democraticmayors.bsky.social Community Over Chaos Summit in Cleveland to discuss how cities are investing in strategies to address the root causes of crime.
During the race, we saw some candidates challenge others' support for the NYPD and accuse them of wanting to "defund the police."
But voters supported Mamdani's proposal to take the burden off police to solve every social problem, allowing them to focus on serious crimes.
But voters supported Mamdani's proposal to take the burden off police to solve every social problem, allowing them to focus on serious crimes.
July 2, 2025 at 3:15 PM
During the race, we saw some candidates challenge others' support for the NYPD and accuse them of wanting to "defund the police."
But voters supported Mamdani's proposal to take the burden off police to solve every social problem, allowing them to focus on serious crimes.
But voters supported Mamdani's proposal to take the burden off police to solve every social problem, allowing them to focus on serious crimes.
In a race where crime was a top issue, the conventional political wisdom to go "tough" turned out to be wrong.
Zohran Mamdani's winning campaign made investing in real solutions for public safety a core part of his broader message of an affordable, livable city for all.
Zohran Mamdani's winning campaign made investing in real solutions for public safety a core part of his broader message of an affordable, livable city for all.
July 2, 2025 at 3:15 PM
In a race where crime was a top issue, the conventional political wisdom to go "tough" turned out to be wrong.
Zohran Mamdani's winning campaign made investing in real solutions for public safety a core part of his broader message of an affordable, livable city for all.
Zohran Mamdani's winning campaign made investing in real solutions for public safety a core part of his broader message of an affordable, livable city for all.
NEW: Results from the New York City mayoral primary race indicate that voters want a serious, solutions-oriented approach to crime and safety.
In a city where public safety remains a top concern for voters, "tough on crime" messaging fell flat, according to Vera Action exit polling. 🧵
In a city where public safety remains a top concern for voters, "tough on crime" messaging fell flat, according to Vera Action exit polling. 🧵
July 2, 2025 at 3:15 PM
NEW: Results from the New York City mayoral primary race indicate that voters want a serious, solutions-oriented approach to crime and safety.
In a city where public safety remains a top concern for voters, "tough on crime" messaging fell flat, according to Vera Action exit polling. 🧵
In a city where public safety remains a top concern for voters, "tough on crime" messaging fell flat, according to Vera Action exit polling. 🧵
Candidates for elected office take note: recent voters back comprehensive solutions to safety over more incarceration.
June 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Candidates for elected office take note: recent voters back comprehensive solutions to safety over more incarceration.
Asm. Zohran Mamdani and former Asm. Michael Blake addressed how police can’t serve as the one-size-fits-all solution for public safety.
Investing in mental health support, for example, helps take the burden off of police so they can focus on the most serious crimes.
From Asm. Mamdani:
Investing in mental health support, for example, helps take the burden off of police so they can focus on the most serious crimes.
From Asm. Mamdani:
June 5, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Asm. Zohran Mamdani and former Asm. Michael Blake addressed how police can’t serve as the one-size-fits-all solution for public safety.
Investing in mental health support, for example, helps take the burden off of police so they can focus on the most serious crimes.
From Asm. Mamdani:
Investing in mental health support, for example, helps take the burden off of police so they can focus on the most serious crimes.
From Asm. Mamdani:
In last night's debate, candidates for #NewYorkCity mayor were caught in the same trap: playing self-defense against "defund the police" accusations.
Our polling shows that against those attacks, Democrats succeed when they focus on real solutions and don’t go "tough on crime."
Our polling shows that against those attacks, Democrats succeed when they focus on real solutions and don’t go "tough on crime."
June 5, 2025 at 8:25 PM
In last night's debate, candidates for #NewYorkCity mayor were caught in the same trap: playing self-defense against "defund the police" accusations.
Our polling shows that against those attacks, Democrats succeed when they focus on real solutions and don’t go "tough on crime."
Our polling shows that against those attacks, Democrats succeed when they focus on real solutions and don’t go "tough on crime."
NEW: A strong majority of Americans (89%) support the federal funding of programs that work with survivors of crime.
Trump’s attack on crucial safety and justice programs contradicts what our communities actually want and need.
Trump’s attack on crucial safety and justice programs contradicts what our communities actually want and need.
June 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
NEW: A strong majority of Americans (89%) support the federal funding of programs that work with survivors of crime.
Trump’s attack on crucial safety and justice programs contradicts what our communities actually want and need.
Trump’s attack on crucial safety and justice programs contradicts what our communities actually want and need.
Philadelphia's progressive District Attorney Larry Krasner has consistently won elections by embracing key reforms to make the city safer and more just and refusing to embrace "tough on crime" politics.
From his campaign website:
From his campaign website:
June 2, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Philadelphia's progressive District Attorney Larry Krasner has consistently won elections by embracing key reforms to make the city safer and more just and refusing to embrace "tough on crime" politics.
From his campaign website:
From his campaign website:
Police cannot be the singular answer to every problem.
By canceling millions of dollars in federal grants, the Trump administration is trying to dismantle programs that have been working for decades to make communities safer.
By canceling millions of dollars in federal grants, the Trump administration is trying to dismantle programs that have been working for decades to make communities safer.
May 28, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Police cannot be the singular answer to every problem.
By canceling millions of dollars in federal grants, the Trump administration is trying to dismantle programs that have been working for decades to make communities safer.
By canceling millions of dollars in federal grants, the Trump administration is trying to dismantle programs that have been working for decades to make communities safer.
Take it from a retired police lieutenant: “Law enforcement cannot do the job alone.”
Our safety is threatened by Trump’s abrupt cuts to federal grants for community-based organizations working on violence prevention, victim services, reentry support, and youth development.
Our safety is threatened by Trump’s abrupt cuts to federal grants for community-based organizations working on violence prevention, victim services, reentry support, and youth development.
May 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Take it from a retired police lieutenant: “Law enforcement cannot do the job alone.”
Our safety is threatened by Trump’s abrupt cuts to federal grants for community-based organizations working on violence prevention, victim services, reentry support, and youth development.
Our safety is threatened by Trump’s abrupt cuts to federal grants for community-based organizations working on violence prevention, victim services, reentry support, and youth development.
Safety is the top priority for New Yorkers in this year’s mayoral election.
But voters deserve better than more “tough on crime” rhetoric from candidates. They want real, comprehensive solutions to improve community safety.
🗽This ad from @vera.org gets it right:
But voters deserve better than more “tough on crime” rhetoric from candidates. They want real, comprehensive solutions to improve community safety.
🗽This ad from @vera.org gets it right:
May 22, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Safety is the top priority for New Yorkers in this year’s mayoral election.
But voters deserve better than more “tough on crime” rhetoric from candidates. They want real, comprehensive solutions to improve community safety.
🗽This ad from @vera.org gets it right:
But voters deserve better than more “tough on crime” rhetoric from candidates. They want real, comprehensive solutions to improve community safety.
🗽This ad from @vera.org gets it right:
Trump’s cuts to DOJ grants make us less safe.
Federally funded community prevention programs have worked for decades to drive crime rates down since their peaks in the early 1990s. Taking them away could mean losing much of the progress we’ve made to improve community safety.
Federally funded community prevention programs have worked for decades to drive crime rates down since their peaks in the early 1990s. Taking them away could mean losing much of the progress we’ve made to improve community safety.
May 16, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Trump’s cuts to DOJ grants make us less safe.
Federally funded community prevention programs have worked for decades to drive crime rates down since their peaks in the early 1990s. Taking them away could mean losing much of the progress we’ve made to improve community safety.
Federally funded community prevention programs have worked for decades to drive crime rates down since their peaks in the early 1990s. Taking them away could mean losing much of the progress we’ve made to improve community safety.
Police chiefs across Michigan are calling on the state legislature to continue investing in community violence intervention programs, which they say are a reason for historically low crime rates.
May 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Police chiefs across Michigan are calling on the state legislature to continue investing in community violence intervention programs, which they say are a reason for historically low crime rates.
Vera Action research has shown that voters want better, more accountable policing and greater trust between police and the community—not an "unleashed" police force that operates without oversight.
April 29, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Vera Action research has shown that voters want better, more accountable policing and greater trust between police and the community—not an "unleashed" police force that operates without oversight.
Cutting $5 million in federal grants to @verainstitute puts survivors of crime and people in mental health crisis in danger.
Trump’s #DOJ is focused on scoring political points, not on delivering justice.
Trump’s #DOJ is focused on scoring political points, not on delivering justice.
April 15, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Cutting $5 million in federal grants to @verainstitute puts survivors of crime and people in mental health crisis in danger.
Trump’s #DOJ is focused on scoring political points, not on delivering justice.
Trump’s #DOJ is focused on scoring political points, not on delivering justice.