STORY

It’s been widely reported that Detroit is making a comeback, but long-term residents of Detroit’s mostly black neighborhoods aren’t seeing much benefit. Crime, lack of opportunity and infrastructure problems still persist. Community Patrol explores neighborhood self-policing through the eyes of Minister Malik Shabazz, a long-time Detroit activist and community organizer. Determined that more black men don’t end up in jail or killed, the minister confronts drug offenders directly rather than reporting them to the police.

REVIEWS & PRESS

"A companion piece to James’ recent feature, Street Fighting Men, Community Patrol is an urgent show of localized effort, a beautifully realized snapshot of hope, face-to-face accountability, acts of mercy and lifting up."
- Kentucker Audley, NoBudge

"By documenting a specific act of collective action, the black-and-white Community Patrol focuses on the complexities of community policing in a Detroit neighborhood—it follows a group of ministers as they lead a march intended to disrupt the supply of a drug dealer who’s living and dealing next to a church. Despite its necessarily uncomfortable contents, the short both documents and further enables a needed dialogue regarding accountability and the concept of patrolling. Without editorializing, Community Patrol raises serious questions about who has the authority to control a neighborhood—as well as about how that authority is created, or maintained.”
- Jake Mulligan, Dig Boston


”Shabazz features prominently in Community Patrol, an immersive piece of observational filmmaking that depicts community policing in action. Part of what makes Community Patrol so powerful is its ability to situate the audience directly inside the action as it unfolds. That cinema verité approach is undergirded by the time James spent with Shabazz establishing a trusting relationship.”
- Emily Buder, The Atlantic


"Within the 13-minute duration of the film, viewers see a master class of negotiation and persuasion. Shabazz never misses a beat, as he also makes clear that the situation can be resolved without jeopardizing or compromising further the future or life of another young person."
- Les Roka, The Utah Review

FESTIVALS & AWARDS

Winner - Best Mini Doc, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

Winner - Special Jury Prize, Independent Film Festival Boston (IFFBoston)

Winner - Made in Michigan Award, Vidlings & Tapeheads

Winner - Mini Doc Award, MAST Studio

Official Selection - True/False Film Festival

Official Selection - Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

Official Selection - Salem Film Festival

Official Selection - Ashland Independent Film Festival

Official Selection - Freep Film Festival

Official Selection - Bozeman Doc Series

Official Selection - Independent Film Festival Boston (IFFBoston)

Official Selection - San Francisco Documentary Festival (SF DocFest)

Official Selection - Vidlings and Tapeheads

Official Selection - Traverse City Film Festival

Official Selection - Camden International Film Festival

Official Selection - Hell's Half Mile Film Series

Official Selection - BendFilm Festival

Official Selection - Charlotte Film Festival

Official Selection - Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

Official Selection - Durango Independent Film Festival

Official Selection - Davey Fest

Official Selection - Lake County Film Festival

Official Selection - The Atlantic Selects