Council created so government could look at itself

• Flanders

Pierce County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Coordinator Linda Flanders talked about why the need for a council in Pierce County to Prescott Kiwanis Thursday. -- Photo by Jason Schulte

Talk about it

Linda Flanders said the creation of the Pierce County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) was so government can look inward.

“At the county level, what we can do to be more efficient and save taxpayers’ money,” she said to Prescott Kiwanis Thursday.

Flanders said the council, which was created last year, was due to Circuit Court Judge Joseph Boles receiving grant funds. Pierce County is one of 37 counties throughout the state to have a council and Wisconsin is one of six states nationwide to have a CJCC.

The council is made up of different facets of the Pierce County Criminal Justice system – law enforcement, district attorney, county board, public defender, judge, probation and parole, corporation counsel, and child, youth and families. Sixteen people meet monthly.

Flanders told Kiwanis about the six goals the council adopted in its previous meetings:

--Understanding the legal requirements of each agency and communicating with one another in the most professional manner.

--Working together to best address the core issues driving alcohol and drug use within Pierce County, and motivating the community toward healthy behavioral change.

--Promoting the use of best practice strategies throughout all key decision-making points of contact within the criminal justice system.

--Offering support and assistance toward a decision on making the sheriff’s department and court facilities accessible, safe and secure.

--Building social capital through increased community outreach.

--Promoting the creation and adaption of multi-disciplinary training ideas for law enforcement, court personnel, probation, human services and advocates.

For more please read the Nov. 14 print version of the Herald.

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