Two weeks since the Public Safety Forum in Missoula. What a great event. It was kicked off by Governor Steve Bullock who was well received by the group. The overall theme of the conference was how we can work closer together to reduce/solve crime and find better ways to assure that offenders who are released don't get back in the system.
The first day that I attended was focused on developing domestic violence high-risk response teams. Domestic violence was one of the issues I was involved with during my time in the Bellevue Police Department and was amazed and how things had moved in a positive way since I was there. It was good to also meet people from Billings who were involved. Good presentations and great connections.
Attorney General Tim Fox was there during lunch on Wednesday to present a lifetime achievement award to the daughter of Matt Dale, from Consumer Protection, who passed away last summer. Matt was a dedicated advocate for victims of crime and everyone was shocked early last summer when he was diagnosed with late stage terminal cancer. (See blog for presentation)
Topics included: Introduction to Restorative Practices; Using Circles Effectively; Developing Domestic Violence High Risk Response Teams; Youth Mental Health First Aid; Amber Alert in Indian Country/First Responder Training for Tribes; Understanding Crime Trends; Risk Need Responsivity Principles; Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice; and Strengthening Housing Supports. As you can see it covered a wide range of important topics.
In all it was a very worthwhile week and I look forward to the Public Safety Forum in the fall of 2019.
Alex E. Ward, CPP
Board Certified in Security Management (American Society for Industrial Security)
MCPA in conjunction with the Yellowstone County DUI Task Force and Q2 produced these DUI PSA's. They paint a sad picture of DUI in Montana and have been viewed on television as well as on you tube. This is one way we can educate folks as to things they need to know about crime.
An excerpt from Paul Greenwood who will be a speaker at the Operation Stop Scams seminar in Billings on August 30 at the Bighorn Resort from Noon - 4:30.
