County Makes Plans to Target Youth Crime

Contributed by Watsonville Police

National youth crime prevention experts including former California State Secretary of Education Delaine Eastin, Michigan empowerment advocate Michael Clark, and Soros Justice Fellow Frankie Guzman will join local experts and leaders at the Cocoanut Grove on Friday, Aug. 16 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Turning the Curve on Youth Violence, Acting on What Works, a conference presented by the Criminal Justice Council of Santa Cruz County (CJC).

The event follows the Youth Violence Prevention Planning Summit last fall.

“The purpose of the conference is as the title says: Turning the Curve on Youth Violence: Acting on What Works,” said Watsonville Chief of Police Manny Solano, who serves as chair for the CJC, “We are gathering expertise and support in our efforts to increase the safety and quality of life for our communities.”

The program has been developed to include an array of perspectives on youth violence prevention, intervention and crime suppression. 

“Educators, law enforcement, families, youth, justice system professionals, service providers and community members will have the opportunity to hear compelling keynote presentations and panel discussions,” added Solano.  

Local experts who will be sharing perspectives and solutions include County Sheriff Phil Wowak, District Attorney Bob Lee,Public Defender Larry Biggam, County School Superintendent Michael Watkins, Superior Court Judges Ariadne Symons and Heather Morse, representatives from the Youth City Councils of Santa Cruz and Watsonville.

“The conference will inform the development of a comprehensive youth violence prevention plan for Santa Cruz County and build the capacity of the community to address issues of youth violence with an emphasis on assets based approaches to youth development,” said Fernando Giraldo, Assistant Chief of Probation, who chairs the Youth Violence Prevention Committee for the CJC. 

He added, “Participants will come away with early prevention strategies and evidenced based practices for violence prevention and intervention for educators, families, law enforcement and policy makers.”

“Community members will learn key elements of the comprehensive youth violence prevention plan being developed by the CJC’s Youth Violence Prevention Task Force and learn about how to get involved to ensure its successful implementation,” said County Superintendent of Education, Michael Watkins, who serves on the Executive Committee of the CJC.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required; to register for the conference, please visit: www.cjcsantacruz.eventbrite.com or email: cjcsantacruzcounty@gmail.com

The Criminal Justice Council of Santa Cruz County is made up of appointed community leaders in law enforcement, probation, justice, health and human services, and community based organizations.