Community Patrol
Documentary, Short Films, 14-May-2019
A Detroit minister rallies a community group to shut down a local drug house. “Community Patrol,” by director Andrew James, is both an observational portrait of a couple days in the life, and an inspiring case study of community action. Minister Malik Shabazz is sick of the drug abuse, violence, and poverty in his streets. He takes to the pulpit and the local airwaves to put out calls for engaged citizens to address pressing local issues. When word comes down of drug activity occurring in a house across the street from the church, a group mobilizes to snuff it out. Not with force or aggression, but with compassion and investment in the lives and future of those stuck in dark cycles. “You got three ministers on your porch. That’s something powerful brother.” A companion piece to James’ recent feature, “Street Fighting Men” (read our interview here about the connections between the two projects), “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. Director: Andrew James. Cast: Minister Malik Shabazz. DP/Editor Andrew James. Producers: Sara Archambault, Jolyn Schleiffarth, Katie Tibaldi.