~ Exchange of information from around the state is the next step in
strategy development~
TALLAHASSEE, FL – LAWFUEL – Legal Newswire – Attorney General Bill McCollum will bring
together statewide policymakers and stakeholders for a two-day Gang
Reduction Strategy Summit in Tallahassee beginning tomorrow, December
19, 2007. Designed to obtain input from stakeholders and other
interested parties across the state, the summit is the next step in
developing a Statewide Gang Reduction Strategy.
“Gang activity and violence is escalating in Florida and each area
of our state is impacted in different ways. The goal of the summit is
to bring together community leaders from around the state to share their
experiences with gang related problems. This exchange of information
will ultimately set the foundation for our Statewide Gang Reduction
Strategy,” said Attorney General McCollum.
Attorney General McCollum will open the summit in the morning at
10:00 a.m. Remarks will also be given by members of his Statewide Gang
Reduction Strategy Executive Group including FDLE Commissioner Gerald
Bailey, Education Commissioner Eric Smith, Secretary James McDonough,
Department of Corrections, Assistant Secretary Ken Pifer, Department of
Juvenile Justice, Colonel Bill Janes, Office of Drug Control, Colonel
John Czernis, Florida Highway Patrol, Sheriff Joey Dobson, Sheriff Larry
Campbell and State Attorney Willie Meggs.
“Nearly 16 years ago, I was involved in the call of a Statewide Grand
Jury to assess the prevalence of gang activity and develop strategies to
assist members of law enforcement in their fight against this deadly and
destructive criminal activity,” said former Florida Attorney General Bob
Butterworth. “I am proud to partner with Attorney General Bill McCollum
in his efforts to take up that call and find effective ways to
ultimately eradicate the influence of gangs in Florida.”
The effort to develop a Statewide Gang Reduction Strategy is also
supported by the membership of the Florida Police Chiefs Association.
“We applaud the Attorney General for recognizing the serious
threat that gang related criminal activity poses to our state and its
citizens, and his efforts to address and find a working solution to this
problem,” said Chief H.C. “Skip” Clark II, President of the Florida
Police Chiefs Association. “We appreciate the Attorney General for
holding this summit to afford local law enforcement the opportunity to
provide input on how to address this serious threat to our communities.”
The Agenda for the Gang Reduction Strategy Summit is attached.
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