S2E9: A Conversation About Public Safety with Award-Winning Filmmaker and Best-Selling Author, Matthew Solomon

Brian J Matos

Matthew Solomon, a filmmaker and conflict resolution expert, joins Brian for a conversation about his documentary, Reimagining Safety, and the growing demands for new approaches to ensure public safety. Matthew shares his personal experiences growing up in a diverse community and witnessing differences in how local police interacted with his friend groups. He explains how his background in sociology and anthropology, as well as the events of the Rodney King beating and the LA riots, shaped his passion for social justice and eventuall led to his decision to make the documentary.

In addition to previewing the content of the film, Brian and Matthew delve into the concept of public safety, including what the term means to different individuals, neighborhoods and towns.

Matthew highlights the importance of a holistic public safety definition, which includes access to resources, mental health support, and deep community engagement. He also emphasizes the need to address the systemic and societal challenges of reforming the criminal justice system in the United States as well as other, similar justice systems around the world. Matthew and Brian discuss the role of mental health care and social services in public safety and debates over how to increase funding and resources in these areas. He encourages individuals to get involved in their communities and build connections with others as a way to promote public safety.

To learn more about Matthew Solomon, his film and his work:

• Consulting website: https://www.matthewsolomonconsulting.com/
• Reimaging Safety Movie Site: https://www.reimaginingsafetymovie.com/
• Twitter: @mattytheglue and https://x.com/ReimagSafety
• Facebook: Reimagining Safety Movie
• Instagram: @mattytheglue and @reimaginingsafetymovie

Find more episodes like this at http://www.brianjmatos.com/

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