By Carla Thomas

Oakland community leaders, residents, and organizers gathered at Lodestar Academy on June 27 to mark the launch of Neighborhood Peace Committees; a grassroots effort designed to prevent violence by addressing conflict at its source.

Hosted by Roots Community Health and the 40×40 Council, the event 701 105^th Ave. in East Oakland blended the energy of a community celebration with the urgency of a public safety solution. Music filled the space, a burrito lunch was served, and neighbors connected with local organizations while learning about a model aimed at transforming how communities respond to everyday disputes.

At the center of the initiative was a clear principle: those closest to the challenges are often best positioned to resolve them. The Peace Committees consist of trained and paid community members tasked with mediating disputes, facilitating structured conversations, and de-escalating tensions before they escalate into violence.

“Instead of getting the courts involved or calling the police or 311, residents can scan a QR code, call, or email, and the communication goes directly to a peace officer to help with the issue,” said Khariyyah Shabazz, associate director of Neighborhood Development with Roots Community Health.

Organizers emphasized that many acts of violence stem from unresolved personal conflicts. The committees are designed to intervene early, offering a community-based alternative to traditional enforcement systems.

“Whether it’s a dog repeatedly entering a yard, neighbors blocking a driveway, or kids climbing fences, peace officers can step in before a situation gets out of control,” Shabazz said. “We are hyper-focused locally, so the people helping are from the neighborhood. It’s not about assigning blame; it’s about identifying solutions so people can move forward.”

Peace Committee members are available regularly in the community, including at Lodestar Academy on the first and third Wednesdays and at Parker Community Resource Center on the second and fourth Wednesdays. According to organizers, early efforts are already showing promise.

“We have residents helping resolve conflicts, and the first two complaints are resolved,” Shabazz said.

The model draws inspiration from the Zwelethemba Model developed in South Africa, a globally recognized approach centered on dialogue, accountability, and community ownership. In Oakland, the framework has been adapted to reflect local culture, relationships, and lived experiences.

Peace Committee members receive training in conflict resolution, with some also gaining mental health first aid skills to better connect residents with support services. Peace Committee participants are also paid $25 per hour and have interns training the next generation of adults to be active in their communities.

Organizers referred to the Peace Committee launch as a movement to extinguish community barriers. “It’s not about snitching; it’s about resolving problems,” Shabazz. “It’s not about keeping people out of your business; it’s about building community.

“Peace is not something that is delivered to a neighborhood, but something that is grown inside,” said keynote speaker Timothy Zenor-Davis, senior program coordinator for Neighborhood Development, Roots Community Health Center.

Haley Hester, district director for Assemblymember Mia Bonta, also addressed the audience. “Building community, strengthening trust, and ensuring neighbors know one another is essential,” said Hester.

Community member Brotha Tut shared how he organizes men in his neighborhood to clean and uplift their surroundings.

“It means a lot to connect with an organization that asks what we need and what solutions we have in mind,” he said, noting that many systems often overlook input from those most impacted. He later performed a song centered on restoring love and unity in the community.

Connie Dixon, a Peace Committee facilitator, described ongoing efforts to build relationships through direct engagement in neighborhoods.

“We knock on doors every month, engage neighbors, and provide resources,” Dixon said.

Dixon also shared her personal motivation for joining the effort, recalling a time when a neighboring property became a source of gambling, gang, and drug activity. “I experienced daily threats,” she said. “I joined the Peace Committee because I don’t want others to go through what I went through.”

Community member, Ms. Kim described how a long-standing neighborhood issue involving a woodpile created both fire and safety hazards, particularly during the summer months. Through the Peace Committee, the issue is addressed before it escalates further.

Program Coordinator Semaj Ransom reinforced the broader vision behind the initiative. “We have answers within our own community, and we are putting them into action,” he said.

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