County Leaders to Explore Critical Justice, Public Safety Issues at Symposium

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 -- The National Association of Counties issued the following news release:

County leaders from across the country this week are exploring local, state and federal homeland security and public safety legislative and policy priorities at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Justice and Public Safety Symposium in Fulton County/Atlanta, Ga.

The annual gathering, hosted by Fulton County and NACo Jan. 23-24, provides members of NACo's Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee (JPS) and other NACo leadership an opportunity to network with fellow county officials and hear directly from national experts on issues under the jurisdiction of the policy-making committee.

The JPS committee is responsible to develop NACo policies pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including justice planning, law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention, juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, emergency manageme nt, fire prevention and control and civil disturbances.

"Counties are involved in almost every aspect of law enforcement and crime prevention, including policing, corrections and judicial and legal services," said Kay Cashion, commissioner, Guilford County, N.C., who chairs NACo's JPS committee. " The symposium provides an opportunity for us to hear directly from experts and share information on critical justice and public safety issues affecting communities across the country."

Several sessions will be held over the two days, including: The Future of Federal Homeland Security Funding ; Technology - An Enabler for Public Safety; National Standards for Youth Charged with Status Offenses - Local, State and Federal Policy Impacts; Coordinating a Systems Approach to Behavioral Health and Justice ; Addressing Recidivism - Expunging, Sealing and Other Remedies for Criminal Records ; Managing Risk and Targeting Costs and Flood Insurance Reform - Premium Rates, Maps, Affordability and Risk Reduction.

Also, county leaders will hear updates from the U.S. Department of Justice and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Special guest speakers include Robert Samaan, director, National Preparedness, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ; Michael Gillenwater, director, Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), U.S. Department of Homeland Security ; Mary Lou Leary, principal deputy assistant attorney general, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice and Michael Botticelli, deputy director, National Drug Control Policy, The White House.

The full meeting agenda is available on the NACo website. http://www.naco.org/legislation/policies/Pages/JPS.aspx

Maintaining safe communities is one of the most important functions of county governments. Counties invest more than $70.2 billion on courts, police/sheriff law enforcement and correctional facilities/jails.

In addition to detention, counties offer an array of training and re-entry programs, like employment skills development that facilitate the transition from incarceration back into the community.

Counties are the first responders to natural disasters and other major e mergencies. County public health, law enforcement, fire, emergency medical, and other public safety personnel, are responsible for on-the-ground response and recovery action.

More information about Why Counties Matter is available on the NACo website or by contacting Jim Philipps at 202.942.4220.

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