Safe Communities by Design conference Nov. 28-30

After watching his best friend bleed to death in his arms, former California gang member Jeremy Estrada turned his life around. Now, in his third-year in medical school at Georgetown University, Estrada will share his compelling story during the Safe Communities by Design conference, sponsored by the N.C. Governor’s Crime Commission, Nov.28-30 at the Sea Trail Conference Center, Sunset Beach.

Nearly 450 professionals and officials from the criminal justice community, juvenile and victims’ services, the private sector, and federal, state and local agencies will attend the conference. Other speakers include first lady Mary Easley, Director Domingo Herriaz of the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance and Texas Rep. Ted Poe, head of the Congressional Victim’s Caucus.

The Governor’s Crime Commission’s three-day conference will host workshops on current trends, strategies, and effective practices concerning topics such as gangs, drugs, identity theft, elder crime, and campus and community security.

Two programs, DREAMS of Wilmington and the Over Drug Market Program of High Point, will receive national awards.

DREAMS of Wilmington has been selected as a 2007 Coming Up Taller award semifinalist by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Humanities. The program provides a creative outlet to disadvantaged youth who otherwise would not have access to an arts education. Performing and visual arts classes are offered to children ages 8 to 17 in 15 sites throughout the Wilmington area.

The High Point Over Drug Market Program, will receive the Kennedy School of Government award. The program allows investigators to build cases on high level drug dealers, then not arrest them if they agree never to deal drugs again. “I have seen the data on this, and it is truly amazing,” said David Jones, director of the Governor’s Crime Commission.

“The entire conference is expected to help get criminal justice professionals thinking about what steps to take in order to build safe communities,” Jones said. “From home safety to keeping children in school and out of gangs, the conference offers a great opportunity for attendees to see the latest developments in criminal justice."