Deon Joseph is a law enforcement consultant who has worked for the LAPD for over 20 years - seventeen of those years in downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row community. From patrolling the streets to meeting with public figures and advocating for change, Deon is driven to influence an environment for the homeless that helps them to reclaim their lives from the grips of their complex issues.

In his talk, Deon offers practical insights from his experience working boots on the ground in one of the worst homeless situations in the US.

Through his work in the Skid Row community, Deon has found that many homeless people have been indoctrinated to fear and mistrust of law enforcement and consequently do not seek their help.

Deon created The Housing Program and The Open Door Project in an effort to creatively dispel those fears and focus on community policing at a grassroots level. His programs are designed to empower the residents of Skid Row and create real change and impact.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx