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Community Justice Program |
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The Gadsden County Community Justice Program is a citizen-led effort that focuses on overcoming crime and its impact on our county. The programs evolved from a task force of citizens that worked with Florida A & M University's Disproportionate Minority Consortium Initiative, which was funded by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice's DMC initiative. Community members, criminal and juvenile justice agencies, human services providers, and local government officials developed a strategic plan to address the disproportionate number of minority youth referred to the juvenile justice system The GCSO has the function of working at the grassroots level, directly with the affected groups at the school level. Lt. Ed McWhite directs all School Resource Officers. The primary tool of this program is the School Resource Officers. They are assigned to most elementary schools in the county and to all middle and high schools. These deputies work closely with the principal at each school to develop plans and strategies to prevent and/or minimize dangerous situations. Also, deputies participate in school programs, parent/teacher conferences, drug and crime prevention activities and conduct small group sessions with students based on materials presented in classes in an effort to further relationships between students and law enforcement officers From time to time several deputies, under the direction of Deputy Scott Ivey, take students in elementary and middle school on overnight camping trips to Wallwood Boy Scout Reservation. The students learn about camping, sharing, and independence while participating in team-oriented games, storytelling, hiking, and fishing. The establishment of an Explorers Program in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America is in the developmental stages for high school students interested in a law enforcement career. These students will be introduced to, develop and function within the inter-agency operations of the GCSO. If you are interested in any of these programs or want to know more, call Lt. McWhite at 627- 9233.
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