Renita Francois

Renita Francois is a public safety and community engagement expert with extensive experience in government and non-profit sectors. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Mayor's Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP) at the NYC Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice.13 In this role, she led a citywide, multi-agency intervention focused on reducing violence and improving public safety in New York City public housing developments.5

Currently, Renita Francois holds the position of Chief Strategy Officer at Tides Advocacy.25 Her work focuses on innovative approaches to community safety, justice reform, and empowering residents to play a leading role in neighborhood safety initiatives.13

During her tenure at MAP, Francois oversaw programs that contributed to significant reductions in crime rates in participating public housing developments. A study by John Jay College found that MAP areas experienced a 15.4% decline in misdemeanors against persons and a 6.3% drop in major felonies, compared to smaller reductions in non-MAP areas.1

Francois is known for her expertise in:

1. Community-based safety strategies
2. Public policy implementation
3. Multi-agency collaborations
4. Resident empowerment initiatives

Her approach emphasizes the importance of resident voices in shaping public safety policies and practices.13 Francois has also been featured in publications discussing gun violence prevention and community safety strategies.4