Meaghan West and Julian House of M. H. West & Co., Inc. attended the National Network for Safe Communities‘ 1st Annual Conference in New York City. The conference attracted more than 300 people from 24 states and 5 different countries. David Kennedy, Director of the Center for Crime Prevention and Control at John Jay College of Criminal Justice discussed his work to combat drug markets. He focused on the success of the High Point Intervention, an innovative program that is now being replicated in at least 25 cities including: Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Baltimore, San Francisco, Washington DC and Pittsburgh.

The conference brought together jurisdictions from around the country that are currently implementing the gang violence and/or the drug market strategy. The participating groups shared best practices and addressed common issues such as; providing a supportive community of practice for new jurisdictions and working to make these strategies standard practice across the United States.

Some of the best minds of the criminal justice system and youth welfare were at the conference. Innovative programs like David Kennedy‘s Ceasefire, provided a sense of optimism to conference participants that crime reduction was possible when a solid plan is implemented.