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HistoryUpon Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners direction, the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) created the Youth Violence Prevention Planning Steering Committee to coordinate and research the development of a Youth Violence Prevention Project. Palm Beach County experienced and continues to see a rash of shootings, generating tremendous concern on the part of the Board of County Commissioners, Criminal Justice Commission members, local law enforcement, educators and the community. The CJC utilized a national model created by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. A comprehensive approach was developed using the research compiled by Florida State University and by involving professionals from the criminal justice system, education, and human services, and local youth. Florida State University, Center for Public Policy in Criminal Justice, assimilated and analyzed local violent crime data which demonstrates, after a decline from 1994-2002, a significant increase in murders and firearms crimes. Four subcommittees, including crime prevention, law enforcement, courts and corrections, developed a strategic plan. A Youth Workgroup was formed with 25 youth from various areas of the county. The Workgroup surveyed over 500 youth, including juveniles in jail and on Department of Juvenile Justice probation. The recommendations made by the Workgroup have been incorporated into the overall plan. The research supports that a multi-agency comprehensive approach is the most effective. The project incorporates the model programs and the recommendations from the Subcommittees. The five targeted areas that became evident through violent crime mapping (GIS) analysis include Riviera Beach, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, and Belle Glade. Educational programs such as Safe Schools and Career Academies, and law enforcement strategies except for the cameras and the community oriented police officer, would be countywide. Each targeted area will have an Advisory Board of residents and a Teen/Youth Council. For each area, a Memorandum of Understanding will describe the participation of the local government, human service agencies, foundations and other funding sources. |
Criminal Justice Commission
301 North Olive Avenue, Suite 1001 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Phone: 561-355-4943 Fax: 561-355-4941 E-mail: mlrodrig@pbcgov.org |
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