New GCPO Community Outreach Unit
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
WOODBURY NJ January 23, 2017--Going beyond its statutory responsibility of investigating and prosecuting crime, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office has formed a new Community Outreach Unit that encompasses activities ranging from drug abuse prevention among the young, to recruitment of more diverse police personnel, to awareness and detection of elder abuse.
“:Over the years, we have expanded the number of community outreach programs, so we created a new unit to oversee the many services offered to the public,” Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton said. The purpose of the unit is to “educate the public and raise awareness of potential public safety issues,” said Prosecutor Dalton.
“In addition to being the chief law enforcement agency in the county, I want the Prosecutor’s Office to be a resource for all residents on the important issues confronting our families,” Prosecutor Dalton said.
Many of the unit’s activities involve educational programs for young people, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and assisting elderly and military veterans, the prosecutor said.
“We have a very diverse county with many different needs,” said Gloucester County Freeholder Dan Christy, board liaison to the county Prosecutor’s Office. “Any help our law enforcement agencies and human services providers can get to support their efforts out on the streets, with regard to drug abuse, elderly abuse or other issues that impact our residents’ quality of life, is important and appreciated.”
The new unit is supervised by Sgt. Danielle LoRusso, a 23-yaer law enforcement veteran and over the past year coordinator of a countywide initiative to educate youths about the dangers of opiate usage.
Other members of the unit: Shannon Eden, program coordinator; Bernie Weisenfeld- media coordinator; Dan Bruynell- social media coordinator; and Phyllis Covici- scheduling coordinator.
The unit’s activities are:
- Mental Health and Intervention Committee- education, treatment & awareness
- Gloucester County Highway Safety Task Force- enforcement & education programs
- Gloucester-Salem County Security Initiative- law enforcement/corporate security partnership
- Deptford Anti-Crime Partnership
- Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office Speaker’s Bureau
- Gloucester County Law Enforcement Diversity Initiative- education, mentoring, job fairs
- Gloucester County Veteran’s Initiative- assists military vets facing charges
- Gloucester County Elder Abuse Initiative- education & prosecution
- Gloucester County High School Traffic Safety Video Contest
- Gloucester County Bullying Prevention Student Poster/Poetry Contest
- GCPO Summer Youth Program- policing & prosecution experiences for youth
- Opiate Initiative- school drug education programs
- Narcan Initiative- overdose treatment
- Recovery Coach Initiative- support to overcome addiction
- Student Internship Program- college students at GCPO
- Gloucester County Law Enforcement Museum- county law enforcement history.
- Community Justice Partnership- residents working on community issues.
- S.U.R.E. (students united for respect & equality) HS students confront youth challenges - drug abuse, dating violence, self-esteem.
Anyone wishing to schedule a GCPO speaker or participate in any of the outreach unit programs can contact Phyllis Covici at 856-384-5534, or e-mail her at [email protected].