Best practices

              Arizona Criminal Justice Commission

Chairperson TERRY STEWART Department of Corrections Director JOSEPH ARPAIO Maricopa County Sheriff JIM BOLES City of Winslow Mayor DAVID K. BYERS Administrative Office of the Courts Director DAVID DOBROTKA Glendale Police Department Chief CLARENCE DUPNIK Pima County Sheriff TONY ESTRADA Santa Cruz County Sheriff BILL FITZGERALD Yavapai County Adult Probation Officer DENNIS GARRETT Department of Public Safety Director

Vice Chairperson RALPH OGDEN Yuma County Sheriff BARBARA LAWALL Pima County Attorney J.T. McCANN Flagstaff Police Department Chief RICHARD MIRANDA Tucson Police Department Chief JANET NAPOLITANO Attorney General ROBERT CARTER OLSON Pinal County Attorney EDITH RICHARDSON Board of Executive Clemency Chairperson RICHARD M. ROMLEY Maricopa County Attorney CHRISTOPHER SKELLY Judge, Retired

LEWIS TENNEY Navajo County Board of Supervisors

MICHAEL D. BRANHAM Executive Director

Table of Contents
About the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission ............................................................................ 1 About the Criminal Justice Innovation Awards ................................................................................. 1 Community Award Winner ............................................................................................................... 2 Community Award of Merit .............................................................................................................. 2 Community Award Nominations .................................................................................................. 2-4 Crime Prevention Award Winner ...................................................................................................... 5 Crime Prevention Award of Merit ..................................................................................................... 5 Crime Prevention Award Nominations ......................................................................................... 5-6 Excellence Award Winner ................................................................................................................ 7 Excellence Award of Merit................................................................................................................7 Excellence Award Nominations .................................................................................................. 7-10 Innovation Award Winner .............................................................................................................. 11 Innovation Award of Merit..............................................................................................................11 Innovation Award Nominations ................................................................................................ 11-16 Chairperson's Award ..................................................................................................................... 17

Best Practices About the ACJC & Innovation Awards

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The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission
The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission is a statutorily authorized entity mandated to carry out various coordinating, monitoring and reporting functions regarding the administration and management of criminal justice programs in Arizona. In accordance with statutory guidelines, the Commission is comprised of 19 Commissioners that help guide and represent various elements of the criminal justice system in Arizona. Five of the 19 Commission members are state agency heads, while the other 14 are appointed by the Governor to serve for two-year terms. ACJC was created in 1982 to serve as a resource and a service organization for all Arizona criminal justice agencies on a myriad of issues ranging from drugs, gangs, victim compensation and assistance to record improvement initiatives. The ACJC works on behalf of criminal justice agencies in Arizona to facilitate information and data exchange among statewide criminal justice agencies, establish and maintain criminal justice information archives, monitor new and continuing legislation relating to criminal justice issues and gather information and research on existing criminal justice programs. The Criminal Justice Innovation Awards were created to honor innovative, cooperative and successful programs and to help the ACJC fulfill its statutory mission in enhancing the entire Arizona criminal justice system. Every program nominated for this year's award program demonstrated a high degree of outstanding leadership, partnership and innovation within the criminal justice system. It is the hope of the Commission that the Innovation awards will continue to promote best practices sharing among criminal justice agencies and challenge criminal justice practitioners to look at what is being accomplished throughout the state and apply those lessons to every Arizona neighborhood, town and city. All programs nominated for this year's Innovation Awards are highlighted in this Best Practices publication. Each nominated program has been briefly described and provides a contact number for persons interested in obtaining additional information about specific programs. Sincerely,
ACJC Executive Director Michael D. Branham

The Criminal Justice Innovation Awards
On July 12, 2001, during the 21st Annual Law Enforcement POW WOW in Flagstaff, Arizona, the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC) honored nine criminal justice agencies and programs throughout the state that promote cooperation, collaboration and innovation among Arizona's 480 criminal justice agencies. This year the Arizona Criminal Justice Innovation Awards received nearly 60 nominations for programs and partnerships around the state that each demonstrated collaboration and innovation as well as a strong dedication to creating safer, stronger communities throughout Arizona. This year marks the Second Annual Criminal Justice Innovation Awards program sponsored by the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. Last year the Commission began the awards program to bring attention and recognition to highly innovative criminal justice programs and agencies throughout the state. The caliber of programs submitted for the first-ever Innovation Awards demonstrated a high degree of collaboration, innovation and dedication for creating safer, stronger communities throughout the State of Arizona. To sufficiently understand the focus of various innovative programs throughout Arizona, the ACJC developed four categories in which programs could be nominated. Those categories are:

Innovation Award (Multi-Jurisdictional or Single Entity Programs) Programs must be government based and either multi-jurisdictional or single entity programs. Excellence Award (Direct Service Programs) Programs must be direct service programs that are governmentbased or public/private partnerships. Community Award (Public/Private or Public/Non-Profit Programs) Programs must be public private partnerships or public/nonprofit partnerships that enhance or support criminal justice efforts. . Crime Prevention Award (Prevention Programs) Programs must be one of the following: single governmental entity, multi-jurisdictional program, public/private partnership, public/ nonprofit partnership, private/nonprofit partnership, or a nonprofit organization.

Michael D. Branham Executive Director

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Best Practices Community

Community Award
This award went to programs that demonstrated public/private partnerships or public/non-profit partnerships which enhanced or supported criminal justice efforts in Arizona.
Award Winner: Motorist Assist Civilian Reserves Arizona Department of Public Safety, Highway Patrol Division The Motorist Assist Civilian Reserves Program was created in July 1999 to patrol the interstates and state highways looking for stranded motorists in need of assistance. This team of 10 volunteers addresses a vast array of public safety issues. In fact, the Motorist Assist Civilian Reserves are often the first on the scene which enable them to deliver concise "onscene" assessments that are necessary for safe, prompt incident resolution by all responding officers, fire or medical personnel. Appropriate Reserves training ensures this service team operates under the policies and procedures of the Highway Patrol Division. For more information about this program contact Lieutenant Frank Lopez, District Commander at 520-778-3271. Award of Merit: Arizona Statewide Gleaning Project Arizona Department of Corrections, Perryville State Prison In a cooperative effort between the Arizona Statewide Gleaning Project; Department of Economic Security; Department of Agriculture; the Dep a r t m e n t of Health Services and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Perryville, these agencies work together to allow inmates to harvest, donate and distribute surplus produce from area farmer's crops to food banks to feed the hungry. This program brings together otherwise wasted resources (idle inmates and farmers with food surpluses) to help the needy. The "gleaning crew" from Perryville ac-

counts for nearly 1.5 million pounds of produce being distributed to food banks in Arizona on an annual basis. By directing inmate energy into productive work, they are less likely to disrupt the safe, secure and orderly operation of the institution. For more information about this program contact the Director of the Statewide Gleaning Project Clark Skeans at 602-989-1396. Nominated Programs: Southern Arizona DUI Task Force Arizona Department of Public Safety In July 1992, the Southern Arizona DUI Task Force was created to reduce the number of DUI related collisions and deaths in Southern Arizona. All 15 Southern Arizona law enforcement agencies participate in this task force that also relies on public/private partnerships to aid in public education and prevention programs to reduce the rate of DUI injuries. The task force is deployed on every major holiday and during special events to impact and remove impaired drivers from the roads. The key to this program's success is shared leadership and vision. For more information about this program contact AzDPS Sergeant Ed Schlecta at 520-746-4500.

Elder Exploitation and Abuse Program Maricopa County Attorney's Office The Maricopa County Attorney's Office in cooperation with numerous state, local and non-profit agencies developed the interagency Elder Exploitation and Abuse Program to reduce trauma to aged victims by providing guidelines for agencies that are involved with elderly crime victims. As one of the prime retirement and winter living destinations for senior citizens from all over the country, Maricopa County continues to attract older Americans. From 1998 through 1999, crimes affecting the elderly population in Maricopa County increased by 18 percent. The Elderly Exploitation Abuse Program specializes in meeting the needs of elderly crime victims. For more information about this program contact MCAO Victim Witness Division Chief Jamie Mabery at 602-506-4922.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

Best Practices Community

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Get Real. Real Drug Free. National Red Ribbon Military Police USMC, MCAS, Yuma Every year in October, the Military Police focuses on personnel training to tackle the problem of drug and alcohol abuse among recruits and enlisted personnel. This program is directed at young Marines, who are often away from home for the first time, and unaware of the hazards of drug and alcohol abuse. This program provides alternative opportunities for these young Marines, and according to crime statistics for the month of November, alcohol incidents were drastically reduced and drug incidents disappeared. For more information about this program contact USMC, MCAS First Lieutenant Sean McGraw at 520-269-2854. Citizens Academy Peoria Justice Court The Peoria Justice Court in 1993 created the Citizens Academy Mock Criminal Preliminary Hearing as a way to educate the public on criminal procedure in our state. During a mock Preliminary Hearing, citizens are able to observe how the proceeding works from beginning to end. At the conclusion of the Preliminary Hearing, the observers are told it was a mock proceeding. The Judge then reviews the proceeding for the citizens explaining the function of the hearing in criminal proceedings and providing explanations for the rulings made on the motions made in court. For more information about this program contact Peoria Justice Court Judge Lex Anderson at 602506-3640. Communications Clown Patrol Phoenix Police Department Created in 1999, the Clown Patrol attracts children to the Phoenix Police Communication booth where they can get information on safety and the purpose of 91-1. The Clown Patrol works to educate the community about how to use 9-1-1 by focusing on and explaining the difference between a 9-11 emergency and a "mommy emergency." The program has helped reduce the number of 9-1-1 calls, and has been able to provide better information for officers responding to scenes. For more information about this program contact PPD Communications Administrative Shift Supervisor Tami deRuiter at 602262-6070.

Westwood Community Prosecution Program City of Phoenix Prosecutor's Office The City of Phoenix Prosecutor's Office has joined with partners to strategically combat the criminal element and neighborhood blight that is contributing to the deterioration of the Westwood community, which is one square mile in central Phoenix. This area is densely populated and is considered the most populous area of the city due to the nearly 200 multi-family properties in the vicinity. It is these multi-family units that are the focus of the team's effort because they are over-ridden with crime and suffer from poor management and absentee owners. Under this program, the team and other private/public agencies work together to examine various crimes and blight problems affecting this community. Constant supervision of the area by community partners allows for prompt problem solving. For more information about this program, contact Phoenix City Prosecutor Kerry Wangberg at 602-262-6461. Sahuarita Youth Service Team Sahuarita Police Department Created in 1998, The Sahuarita Youth Service Team works to reduce juvenile crime and mitigate its effects by providing increased recreational activities and after-school recreation. This team also created community justice boards, a Grad Night program and a crisis response team for area youth. When the Sahuarita Police Department began providing services, area kids had limited recreational activities available to them and were often referred to Juvenile Court for minor offenses as a result of business, school and neighborhood complaints about juvenile misbehavior. Working with community groups, this program provides better activity choices for juveniles and also provides counseling, medical, psychological and dental services. This program has resulted in reduced suspensions from schools, fewer complaints from the community about juveniles and tremendous involvement by officers in youth activities. For more information about this program, contact Sahuarita Police Chief Dave Holaway at 520-648-7746.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

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Best Practices Community

Animal Cruelty Task Force Pima County Superior Court Adult Probation The Animal Cruelty Task Force is a non-political coalition of organizations that share the mutual goal of protecting animals as defined by the Class Six felony law that was signed in August 1999. This program was created to help law enforcement personnel understand and successfully use the new law. Additionally, the Animal Cruelty Task Force works as a public information and training organization to raise awareness about animal cruelty in an effort to prevent further occurrences. To date, every case prosecuted has resulted in conviction. For more information about this program contact Pima County Adult Probation Division Director Carl Sheets 520-740-3814.

Connecting with the Community Prescott Justice Court The Prescott Justice Court has developed numerous programs that allows the court to "connect with the community" through innovative collaborative efforts with partners like Prescott PD, MADD and Yavapai College. These programs focus on the creation of programs which augment traditional sentencing options in misdemeanor offenses in an effort to reduce jail costs and recidivism. This program delivers community service options in lieu of jail in many minor cases. The result? Fewer repeat offenders. For more information about this program contact Prescott Justice Court LaVon McGlinn at 928-771-3300.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

Best Practices Crime Prevention

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Crime Prevention
This award went to programs that improve efforts to prevent, control and/or reduce Part 1 UCR crime, substance abuse, gang activity or other high risk behaviors.
Award Winner: Mail Theft Prevention Campaign U.S. Postal Inspection Service For the past several years, Arizona has experienced an increase in mail theft incidences, especially in the Phoenix Metro area. To minimize and reduce mail theft occurrences, The Mail Theft Prevention Campaign was developed to implement investigative, security and community outreach s t r a t e g i e s   a three p r o n g e d approach. This three pronged approach has resulted in an increase in arrests for mail theft and a decrease in the amount o f mail stolen by thieves. By emphasizing mail theft prevention, the U.S. Post Office has seen a substantial reduction in the amount of mail left in private mail boxes. For the month of April 2001, mail theft was reduced by 40 percent from the previous month. For more information about this program contact Task Force Leader Robert Vincent at 602-223-3660. Merit Award: Stopping Theft from Urban Development Sites Gilbert Police Department This program has law enforcement and home builders working together to reduce theft from construction sites as well as increasing the recovery of items that are taken. The program was designed to assist all construction companies. In 1999, there was more than $10 million in theft f r o m construction sites in Maricopa County. Criminal damage was also a problem and cost the industry more than $20 million in 1999. The STUDS program addresses theft as well as criminal damage. By working together, resources are much greater, profit loss has decreased for home builders and valuable time is saved for law enforcement. For more information about this program contact Gilbert Police Officer Sy Ray at 480-503-6500.

Nominated Programs: Community Activity Review Glendale Police Department The Glendale Police Department's Community Activity Review (CAR) was created in July 2000 to address two basic questions: 1) how is our community doing? and 2) can we do a better job in providing policing services and work to prevent crime? The Glendale Police Department believes that the community benefits from effective professional policing and continues to ensure public safety by holding weekly meeti n g s between the agency's Commanders and Operational Managers in an effort to understand community issues and to develop strategies to address crime and quality of life issues. Through the regular analysis of hard data and sharing of information, the Glendale Police Department has been successful in reducing crime. For more information about this program contact Glendale Police Department Commander Randy Henderlite at 623-930-3052.

Mission Oriented Policing Pima County Sheriff's Office Pima County Sheriff's Office Mission Oriented Policing program began in September 1999 and incorporates the concepts of community policing, problem oriented policing and enhanced community relations by placing direct control of field operations with the shift sergeants in each district. This program requires direct interaction with community members and groups to foster an atmosphere of open communication by enhancing the exchange of information, intelligence or analysis. Mission Oriented Policing has allowed the Pima County Sheriff's Office to adjust mindsets and their approach to policing. For more information about this program please contact Pima County Sheriff's Office Captain Kathleen Brennan at 520-741-4871.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

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Best Practices Crime Prevention

Thatcher Police Department Bike Licensing Program Thatcher Police Department The Thatcher Police Department started the bike licensing program in 1988 to ensure the recovery and return of lost or stolen bikes to the rightful owners. This program allows the citizens of Thatcher to license their bikes so there is a better chance of getting it return should it get lost or stolen. The Bike Licensing Program also prevents the theft of bikes because the tag indicates the bike owner and its parts are marked and serial numbers recorded. For more information about this program please contact Thatcher Police Department Chief Gary Cleland at 520-428-2296.

Project Trailer Tucson Police Department The Crime Prevention Unit of the Tucson Police Department purchased a trailer through private donations for community events that are designed to help the department do outreach through communication with and education of local youth. Thousands of children and adults have approached the officers in the Crime Prevention Unit to ask about the trailer and its uses. The trailer has become so popular that the public, local businesses and schools are requesting it for numerous crime fairs, neighborhood cleanups, M c G r u f f visits and public safety days. For more information about this program please contact Tucson Police Department Sergeant Bruce Marquis at 520-791-4499.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

Best Practices Excellence

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Excellence Award
This award recognizes direct service programs that are government based or public/private partnerships.
Award Winner: Office of Special Investigations Arizona Department of Economic Security The Office of Special Investigations, between January 2000 and February 2001, responded to 8,607 requests for information from Law Enforcement to aid in the location of wanted felons. The ability to provide critical, pertinent and accurate information to law enforcement agencies enhances their efforts in maintaining community safety. DES' Office of Special Investigations helps police because wanted felons can evade the police, but they won't forego the benefits of DES' financial assistance programs. Also working in tandem with law enforcement agencies, the DES is able to eliminated felons from their benefit programs since felons are not eligible. For more information about this program please contact Arizona Department of Economic Security Deputy Chief Jim Toth at 602-255-0098. Award of Merit: Northern Arizona Youth Alternative Center (NAYAC) City of Page Police Department The City of Page Police Department in 1999 applied for and received three grants from the Governor's Office for Children to establish the Northern Arizona Youth Alternative Center. The center is a non-secure, 10 bed, resource center for young people in the City of Page and surrounding areas. This program was established as a permanent source in which to deal strictly with the juvenile problems in the Page area. Prior to the opening of this center, juveniles who were brought into custody were detained at the police department, which is an adult only facility. The center served 554 juveniles in 2000 from law enforcement agencies, juvenile court/probation and social services as well as from families and walk-ins. For more information about this program please contact Page Police Department Chief Wayne Wright at 928-645-4355.

Nominated Programs: Community Work Service Apache County Adult Probation Created in 1998, the Community Work Service project was designed by the Apache County Adult Probation department in cooperation with the Arizona State Land Department as a community service alternative for Presiding Judge Michael Nelson. This permits probationers to serve their community service requirements by cutting and delivering fire wood for the elderly and needy. This fuel wood project helps people who use wood as their primary home heating source. This year's project delivered, free of charge, approximately 100 cords of fuel wood to residents in Apache County, including isolated residents on the reservation. For more information about this program please contact Apache County Adult Chief Probation Officer Dennis Maxwell at 928-337-7571.

Nitrous Oxide Enforcement Program (House Bill 2011) Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police On April 28, 2001, Governor Jane Dee Hull signed House Bill 2011 into law and prohibits soliciting a person to obtain the container (known as a "whippet") for a juvenile. This bill became effective immediately and makes it illegal for people to knowingly sell, give or deliver a nitrous oxide (laughing gas) container to a person under the age of 18. The Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police worked in cooperation with El Mirage Police Chief Richard Yost to draft, lobby and get support to pass this important piece of legislation. For more information about this effort please contact Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Terry DeBoer at 602223-2356.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

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Best Practices Excellence

Recovery Specialized Treatment Program Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections The Recovery Specialized Treatment Program is under the Clinical Services area of the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections and was created in January 1998 to provide secure care for treating adjudicated teens with substance abuse problems. The treatment of these youth requires dedicated programs in which juveniles receive intensive clinical intervention daily separate from the general population. The program employs nearly 40 full-time staff to provide counseling for youth to overcome criminal and drug abuse urges that can be barriers to a successful life. This program also allows the youth to explore career interests in this 12-week program. For more information about this program please contact Joanne Babich at the Arizona Department of Corrections Clinical Services area at 602-542-4953. Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force Arizona Vehicle Theft Authority With nearly 20 collaborative partners, the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force works to reduce vehicle theft in Arizona through public awareness and community education as well as proactive enforcement and prosecution. The Task Force serves as a resource for the investigation of property crimes involving vehicles, related components and fraud. The Task Force provides technical expertise, training and investigative support to law enforcement agencies targeting vehicle theft and related crimes. Prior to inception of the Task Force, agencies were limited in their resources dedicated to vehicle theft investigations. For more information about this program please contact DPS' Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force Lieutenant A. Mikel Longman at 602-223-2629. Juvenile Task Force Bullhead City Municipal Court The Juvenile Task Force was developed as a result of a very high number of students in Bullhead City and the surrounding areas being charged with truancy, minor possession and consumption of alcohol, and other petty offenses. The Municipal Court felt it had a limited number of sentencing alternatives that were far too lenient and a result was getting

increased repeat offenders. The Juvenile Task Force has reached out to e v e r y branch of the Criminal Justice System within the general area o f Bullhead City and successfully developed sentencing options for j u v e n i l e offenders within the Municipal Court system. For more information about the specific programs developed under this Task Force contact Bullhead City Municipal Court Presiding Judge Mary Stringer at 928-763-0130.

Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Unit Maricopa County Attorney's Office The Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Unit is a combined effort between prosecutors, advocates and coordinators to enhance the prosecution of domestic violence offenders while being mindful of victims' needs and their legislative mandated rights. Furthermore, they work together with various City Prosecutors Offices, the Adult Probation Department and Law Enforcement to track offenders to ensure appropriate prosecution of cases. For more information about this program please contact Maricopa County Attorney's Office Victim Witness Division Chief Jamie Mabery at 602-5064922. Neighborhood Mediation Program Peoria Police Department This program utilizes volunteers trained by the Arizona Attorney General's Office to provide mediation services at no cost to citizens of Peoria who are involved in neighborhood disputes. Two mediators are assigned to media t e cases and guide participants through the structured process and the final product is a written agreement prepared and signed by the participants outlining the terms of their agreement. The end result is that participants enjoy better communication with one another, improved relationships and new skills that can be applied to other situations. For more information about this program please contact Chief of the Peoria Police Department David Leonardo at 623773-7096.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

Best Practices Excellence

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Victim Assistance Unit Peoria Police Department Often at crime scenes, victims do not understand why law enforcement personnel do the things they do and perceive a lack of sensitivity on the part of the officer, who has a set of procedures to follow. Conversely, officers whose priority is to efficiently gather evidence and interview witnesses, often have difficulty dealing with the emotions presented by a victim following a traumatic event. A primary function of the Victim Assistance Unit is to bridge that gap between victim and law enforcement. For more information about this program please contact Chief of the Peoria Police Department David Leonardo at 623-773-7096. Youth Citizen's Police Academy Peoria Police Department The Peoria Police Department's Youth Citizen's Police Academy (YCPA) was designed and implemented in the summer of 1998 to promote the philosophy of Community Oriented Policing to further educate youth about law enforcement and good citizenship. This program targets youth entering the seventh, eighth and ninth grades and is a free five-day program designed to provide instruction in ethics, gang awareness, patrol functions, criminal investigations, bicycle patrol, traffic law and other specialized areas related to policing. By developing a good rapport with our young citizens, we not only help them develop an interest in law enforcement, but also help these kids bridge the gap between the community and the police department. For more information about this program please contact Peoria Police Chief David Leonardo at 623-773-8010. Communications Bureau Operator Vacancy Reduction Program Phoenix Police Department In January 1999, Communication Bureau employees developed the Police Communications Bureau Operator Vacancy Reduction Project in an effort to evaluate the staffing problems associated with employee retention for the 9-1-1/Dispatch section of the department. The Communications Bureau is responsible for answering all incoming 9-1-1 calls for police, fire and medical assistance for the City of Phoenix. Without sufficient personnel to process the incoming calls, the department was faced with the potential of delays in answering emergency calls and dramatically impacting public safety. This project eliminated the vacancy rate, significantly reduced the use of overtime and improved employee morale by increasing pay and filling vacant positions which significantly reduced the amount of mandatory overtime. For more information about this program please contact Phoenix Police Department Commander William Campbell at 602-5347410.

Prostitution Enforcement Program 2000/2001 Phoenix Police Department The Phoenix Police Department in cooperation with 12 other collaborative partners worked through 2000 to develop a two-year strategic plan to deter and abate prostitution in an effort to reduce violence, drug activities and other criminal behavior from the Central City Precinct. This program mobilizes neighborhood associations, develops relationships with the Phoenix City Prosecutors Office and created a solid plan by changing motel/hotel ordinances to deter hourly rental activities and prohibit loitering by prostitutes and pimps. A prostitution tracking system was also created and allows officers to store photographs and pertinent data. More than 1,065 prostitution arrests were made in the first full year of this program. For more information about this program please contact Phoenix Police Department Commander Joe Klima at 602-534-0794. Project CARGO (Communities Addressing Responsible Gun Ownership) Pima County Attorney's Office Project CARGO is an innovative program designed to educate and prevent youth gun violence and unintentional shootings. The program was created in 1999 and provides ongoing gun information related to statistics, laws, safety, and trauma. Since program inception, the Project CARGO team has completed more than 20 live presentations to approximately 1,300 children and parents in Pima County. This program brings the audience face-to-face with the consequences of gun violence and equips attendees with information and methods to prevent gun violence. Project CARGO is successful because it uses professionals to educate, instruct and prevent gun violence. For more information about this program please contact Pima County Attorney's Office Kathleen Quigley at 520-740-5600.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

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Best Practices Excellence

Weed and Seed U.S. Attorney's Office, Arizona District Weed and Seed is a U.S. Department of Justice strategy to "weed out" crime and violence and "seed in" investment and opportunity in selected communities throughout Arizona. The key to the success of Weed and Seed is the collaborative nature of engaging local communities and law enforcement in developing strategies to make communities safer and promote economic revitalization. In each of the communities where Weed and Seed strategies have been implemented, crime rates generally dropped by at least 30 percent and in some instances lowered the crime rate by as much as 50 percent. Economic revitalization, neighborhood cleanups, after school activities and programs for youth, and employment opportunities typically increased in Weed and Seed communities. For more information about this program please contact the Arizona District of the U.S. Attorney's Office Michael Johns at 602-514-7566.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

Best Practices Innovation

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Innovation Award
Programs must be government based and either multijurisdictional or single entity programs.
Award Winner: DEA/DPS Operation Pipeline Investigation Task Force Drug Enforcement Administration, Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Arizona National Guard The mission statement for this program is "Commitment to the effective coordination and cooperation of highway interdiction investigations involving drugs and currency in the State of Arizona." This program is the state's first federal and state drug highway interdiction investigation task force. DPS investigators h a v e been cross-designated as official DEA Task Force Officers w i t h Federal T i t l e 21 authority to work with the DEA in conducting controlled deliveries and pursuing investigative leads outside Arizona. These highway interdiction investigations and controlled deliveries have resulted in seizures totaling more 17,111 pounds of marijuana, 91.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 206.5 pounds of cocaine and $2.7 million in cash and related assets. The success of this program is based on the foresight and commitment of cooperative law enforcement between the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Arizona and all task force members. For more information about this program please contact DEA Group Supervisor Douglas Hebert at 602-664-5690.

Award of Merit: Breaking the Cycle: Title V Community Collaboration to Reduce Juvenile Delinquency Pima County Attorney's Office Breaking the Cycle: Title V Community Collaboration to Reduce Juvenile Delinquency is a collaborative effort between t h e Tucson Police Department, Pima C o u n t y Sheriff's Office, Pima County Attorney's Office, Pima County Health Department, Child and Family Resources, Pima County Youth Families and Neighborhood Reinvestment and the Juvenile Services Coordinating Council. The program focuses on teaching coping skills for children who grow up in violent homes in an effort to keep them from becoming juvenile delinquents. The focus of looking at and addressing domestic violence from the child's perspective is a major innovation in providing services to the smallest victims of family violence. The Tucson PD, when called out on a domestic violence call is required to contact the PCAO VW area so that advocates can provide on-scene crisis intervention between the children and their parent/care giver or guardian. For more information about this program please contact PCAO Victim Witness Division Claire Ostrovsky at 520-740-5525. Nominated Programs: Habitat for Humanity Arizona Department of Corrections The Arizona Department of Corrections has teamed with Habitat for Humanity and Pima Community College to utilize inmates to build homes for the homeless. Habitat for Humanity provides all materials needed and the home is constructed utilizing inmate labor at the prison in Tucson. This program gives inmates hands-on training and teaches them skills they can use in the marketplace upon release. The community appreciates the DOC for providing labor to build homes for the needy. The teamwork of all the agencies involved with this project provides an immediate service to the community and to the needy. For more information about this program please contact Warden Glen Parin of the Arizona Department of Corrections at 520-574-0024 ext. 2200.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

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Best Practices Innovation

Family Services Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections Family Services is an innovative program operating within the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections created to work with the families of juvenile offenders. This program helps families improve their life skills in an effort to increase the likelihood that youth will be successful in changing their delinquent behavior and reduce the risk of siblings from following offenders into the juvenile justice system. This program operates on the premise that lasting success is only possible when the entire family structure is enhanced. For more information about this program contact Bernie Warner, Assistant Director of Community Corrections for the Arizona Department of Corrections at 602-5425597. Youth Net Database System Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections The Youth Net system is a confidential computer-sharing system that, through a secure site, allows various members of the juvenile justice and law enforcement systems obtain access to an appropriate level of information on adjudicated Arizona juveniles. Security precautions are a crucial component of this system and a complex up-to-date series of passwords, computer "fire walls" and other security measures have been incorporated into the system to ensure only persons with the appropriate authorization can gain access to the sensitive data regarding youth and their treatment. For more information about this program contact Youth Net Administrator Tom Gronski for the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections at 602-542-4306.

Arizona Precursor Control Program Arizona Department of Public Safety, Drug Enforcement Administration and the High Inensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Intelligence Division The Arizona Precursor Control Program was created in February 2000 to reduce the availability of precursor and essential chemicals utilized in the illicit manufacture of controlled substances, including methamphetamine. Specifically, this program targets individuals and/or criminal organizations involved in the sale, distribution and transportation of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and iodine crystals, both necessary ingredients in methamphetamine manufacture. The cost of clean up and disposal of hazardous waste products associated with illicit methamphetamine manufacture is increasing every year. This program was created to directly address the illicit manufacture of dangerous drugs, by curtailing and eliminating the availability of precursor chemicals. For more information about this program please contact DPS Commander David Gonzales at 602-223-2210 or DEA ASAC John Albano at 602-664-5600. Introduction to Quality Living Through Liberal Arts and Social and Behavioral Science Bullhead City Municipal Court The Bullhead City Municipal Court, in conjunction with Mohave Community College, has established a college course to be offered to defendants as an alternative to jail time. The class is designed to teach defendants basic art and literature appreciation, health and fitness, nut r i t i o n and personal grooming, anger and stress management, alternatives to drug and alcohol use, basic job skills and acceptable social behavior. This program helps to alleviate an already overcrowded jail system as well as give defendants an opportunity to attend college and receive actual college credit. Several of the students have become employed due to the skills obtained from the course work. For more information about this program contact Bullhead City Municipal Court Presiding Judge Mary Stringer at 928-763-0130.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

Best Practices Innovation

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Speak Out Program Chandler Police Department The Speak Out Program was created by the Chandler Police Department to interact with community members on a regular basis. Chandler PD was divided into five different zones so that the department's administrative staff could knock on doors and talk to citiz e n s about issues of concern. This program a d d r e s s e s the basic need of community policing and encourages communication between the citizens and the police department. Chandler is a rapidly growing city and this program allows the police to gain understanding about the community's actual needs and not their perceived needs. For more information about this program please contact Chandler Police Department Commander Joe Gaylord at 480-782-4203. X Crimes Chandler Police Department The Chandler Police Department recognized an increase in assaults and aggravated robberies against citizens and hotel guests in their community. The Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) reviewed statistical information regarding the crimes and learned that the victims had recently hired escort services. This program worked to deter and eliminate illegal escorts and prostitution in Chandler. X Crimes is successful because it was a collaborative effort between the Chandler Police Department, Phoenix Police Department, the Neighborhood Response Team, Chandler residents and businesses. For more information about this program contact Chandler Police Chief Bobby Joe Harris at 480-782-4335. Gila County DIDS Scan Project Gila County Probation DIDS stands for Drug Impairment Detection Services and is a software program the Gila County Probation office implemented to determine a probationer's likelihood of drug use. The program utilizes an optical scanner to screen probationers and measure eye reflexes. Each time the probationer comes in they are required to take one 30-second test which compares current eye reflexes to their previously obtained baseline measurement reading. This program allows officers to spend more time in the filed

supervising offenders. For more information about this program please contact Paul Kosierowski, director of Probation Services for Gila County Probation at 520-425-7971.

ALPHA Program Maricopa County Sheriff's Office The Alpha Program is the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in-jail substance abuse treatment curriculum that is licensed by the Arizona State Department of Health Services as an outpatient treatment program. The primary Alpha phase is six weeks of intensive group therapy focusing on substance use, sexual and other forms of abuse, personal relationships, distorted cognitive patterns, environmental influences, anger control and personal responsibility. The recidivism rate for this program is extremely low compared to the national average, but the most impressive accomplishment is the success of the graduates. For more information about this program please contact MCSO Administrative Coordinator Judy Lorch at 602-256-1930. Improved Criminal Case Flow Management -- Providing Access to Swift, Fair Justice Maricopa County Superior Court Maricopa County Superior Court implemented a 29-point plan that quickly and efficiently resolves criminal cases that have placed growing demands on the justice system. These changes revolutionize the way judges, lawyers and court staff shepard criminal cases through the system. This task was accomplished by re-working calendars to eliminate unnecessary hearings, teaming judicial officers to share tasks, providing n e w programs to quickly reach disposition of uncomplicated cases and implementing methods that significantly reduce pre-trial incarceration. Those working in the system are doing so more efficiently and are maximizing limited resources, which has benefited taxpayers. For more information about this program please contact Superior Court Administrator Gordon Griller at 602-506-3204.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

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Best Practices Innovation

I.A. Hearing Officer Division Maricopa County Superior Court This program addresses the problem of getting the defendant to the next court appearance by taking the minimum action necessary to get them there. The IA Division has been responsible for the increase in defendants actually showing up versus the old method of turning everyone loose and hoping that they will show up. This division has been able to significantly reduce the criminal justice pretrial jail population by processing the activities of the case processing which influences the length of stay as well as the jail's daily population. For more information about the Maricopa County Superior Court's IA Hearing Officer Division please contact Betsy Jobes at 602-506-0876. Stop Abuse in Families (SAIF) Mesa Police Department The SAIF Program is designed to partner a sworn uniformed police officer with a civilian domestic violence counselor/advocate. The team responds to homes of domestic violence to provide immediate services following the domestic violence incident. The purpose is to educate the victim and perpetrator about the cycle of violence. During this interaction the officer and the advocate explain how the criminal justice system functions and works with the victim to develop a safety plan. For more information about this program please contact the Mesa Police Department Sergeant Cathy Galloway at 480-644-4080. Briefing Book Phoenix Police Department The Communications Bureau of the Phoenix Police Department in cooperation with the Computer Services area developed a computerized Briefing Book that was made available to officers through their Mobile Data Terminal and for 9-1-1 operators through their Computer Aided Dispatch systems. This program has allowed officers and operators to remain informed about events that directly impact their ability to perform their job. For more information about this program please contact PPD's Communications Shift Manager Mary Leonard at 602-534-9312.

Digital Photography and Archiving Conversion Phoenix Police Department The Phoenix Police Department implemented a fully digital photography laboratory to manage, analyze and store digital images taken by department personnel. This new system saved the department more than $200,000 in its first year and will continue to be a recurring savings. For more information about this system and its implementation within PPD, please contact Judie Welch, Administrator for Records and Identification at 602262-7569. Pawnshop Activity Tracking System Phoenix Police Department The Firebird Pawnshop Tracking System collects information from pawn shops throughout the City of Phoenix, loads the information into a database for use by the Phoenix Police Department and then forwards the information to the Maricopa County Pawn System so that it can be utilized by police agencies throughout the county. The data housed within this system provides many tools to aid the department's burglary reduction program and in locating individuals being sought by detectives. This program allows a higher rate of return of stolen property and better identification of burglary suspects. For more information about this program contact Information Technology Manager Lori Rhyons at PPD at 602262-7932. Rapid Subject Identification Program Phoenix Police Department The Phoenix Police Department has improved their ability to identify all subjects prior to release from custody through their Rapid Subject Identification Program, a fingerprinting program. Positive fingerprint identification enables the department to determine which subjects must be booked and which ones can be cited and released. This program enables officers to return to patrol duty faster, fugitives/felons are identified prior to release and criminal histories are provided to the courts and prosecutors during the subject's initial appearance. For more information about this PPD program contact the Administrator for Records and Identification Judie Welch at 602-262-7569.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

Best Practices Innovation

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Domestic Violence Unit City of Phoenix Prosecutor's Office The City of Phoenix Prosecutor's Office DV unit works with the Phoenix Police Department to hold batterers accountable through the Bench Warrant Referral program. When abusers fail to appear for court, a warrant is issued for their arrest. The prosecutor notifies the police liaison, who researched the defendant's whereabouts. The police liaison contacts officers in the field, who make a concerted effort to locate the defendant. Upon arrest, the prosecutor is notified and files a motion to keep the defendant in custody until the next court date. This unit has an overall conviction rate of more than 85 percent. For more information about this program contact Phoenix City Prosecutor Kerry Wangberg at 602-2626461. One Stop Shopping -- Justice/City Court Style -- No Repeat Customers! Prescott Justice/City Court This program takes away any barriers and ensures that those defendants are able to complete, during one court appearance, all preliminary steps necessary to get them to successfully complete their sentence. Court minute entries and applicable instructions are prepared in real-time and printed in the courtroom while the judge is conducting the court proceeding. The defendants are armed with a record of everything that happened in court and then ushered into an adjoining room where treatment providers are waiting to conduct screenings, set program/community service dates and complete all necessary paperwork. For more information about this program contact LaVon McGlinn at the Prescott Justice/City Court at 520-771-3300. Santa Cruz County Metro Task Force Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office The Santa Cruz County Metro Task Force consists of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that have made a commitment to dramatically reduce illegal narc o t i c s and drug related crimes in that county. The task force has actively participated in local, regional and national intelligence programs to develop and strengthen a partnership designed to identify, locate and dismantle trafficking organizations at local and national levels. By combining resources, this program collectively targets, disrupts and dismantles drug smuggling, trafficking and money laundering organizations. For more information on the Santa Cruz County Metro Task Force contact Task Force Commander, Lt. Raul Rodriguez at 520-761-7894.

DUI Court Program Maricopa County Superior Court Maricopa County's DUI Court is based on the Drug Court model and since its inception in 1989 this program has been part of a rigorous evaluation to determine the long-term effects this approach has had on DUI recidivism. Recidivism is a major concern and approximately one-third of the drivers arrested for or convicted of DUI's each year are repeat offenders. The DUI Court provides an innovative approach to handling the repeat DUI offender. For more information about this program contact the Honorable David R. Cole at the Maricopa County Superior Court at 602-506-8509. On-Line Inmate Information Tucson City Court/Pima County Sheriff Correction Department This program consists of a web site that lists every in-custody inmate in alphabetical order and also includes the following information: the inmate's name; date of birth; booking number; housing location; active charges; court case numbers; which court the charges are from; and bond amounts. The listing is automatically updated every two-hours and consists of the addition of new inmates. For more information about this program contact the Honorable Margarita Bernal at the Tucson City Court at 520-7913260. Slumlord Task Force U.S. Attorney's Office Slum properties and neighborhood blight contributes to increased crime, declined property values, flight to the suburbs and urban sprawl. Existing laws and efforts had been unsuccessful in reducing the problem of slum properties. Prior responses had been fragmented and disjointed with some agencies unaware of what other agencies were doing. The task force was created to draft new legislation that would strengthen the laws currently available to help clean up slums and prosecute landlords. The task force also generated a top 20 list of the worst slums in Phoenix in an attempt to call attention to the property and to shame the landlord into cleaning up the property. For more information about this program contact the First U.S. Attorney for the Arizona District Michael Johns at 602-514-7566.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

16

Best Practices Innovation

U.S. Border Patrol Prosecution Unit U.S. Attorney's Office The District of Arizona, Tucson Sector, has an extremely high number of illegal immigrants, more than 600,000 during the last fiscal year. Instead of relying on the scattered efforts of the arresting agents, the Border Patrol created a unit whose sole job is to investigate and prepare cases for prosecution. This centralized approach has made it possible to obtain records to expedite pretrial resolution on many of these cases and also to present correct and complete records at trial. For more information about this program contact First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Arizona District Michael Johns at 602-514-7566.

Yuma County Adult Probation Department Financial Program Yuma County Adult Probation Department The Yuma County Adult Probation Department Financial Program was implemented to improve collections of court-ordered assessments from probationers. This program targets probationers who are delinquent in making payments of restitution, fines and fees that have been ordered as a condition of their probation. In addition to holding offenders accountable, the department's Financial Program generates much-needed revenues for its operations, reducing the burden on the taxpayer. For more information about this program contact Chief Adult Probation Officer for Yma Martin Krizay at 520-329-2210.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards

Best Practices Chairperson's

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Chairperson's Award
This award recognizes exceptional services provided by broad based or multi-jurisdictional programs or projects. This award was selected by the ACJC Chairperson, Terry Stewart.
Southern Arizona DUI Task Force Arizona Department of Public Safety In July 1992, the Southern Arizona DUI Task Force was created to reduce the number of DUI related collisions and deaths in Southe r n Arizona. All 15 S o u t h e r n Arizona law enforcement agencies participate in this task force that also relies on public/private partnerships to aid in public education and prevention programs to reduce the rate of DUI injuries. The task force is deployed on every major holiday a n d during special events to impact and remove impaired drivers from the roads. The key to this program's success is shared leadership and vision. For more information about this program contact AzDPS Sergeant Ed Schlecta at 520-746-4500.

2001 ACJC Innovation Awards