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Community Outreach

Community Outreach Newsletter

Community engagement helps raise awareness, educate vulnerable populations and support viable crime prevention programs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s community outreach programs educate people in the district on countering violent extremism, civil rights, gun violence prevention, neighborhood safety, human trafficking, child exploitation and internet safety.

For more information, please contact Community Outreach Specialist Wendie Jackson at Wendie.Jackson@usdoj.gov or (513) 316 – 2887.

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United States Attorney Kenneth L. Parker plans to continue to partner with communities to prevent crime

Kenneth L. Parker, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and a Cincinnati native, was nominated by President Biden and the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination in November 2021. He has dedicated his more than 20-year career to public service. 

“The seal of the Justice Department is an eagle with one talon clutching arrows and the other clutching an olive branch,” Parker says. “I believe the seal reminds us that we must hold criminals accountable for their actions, but we must also find and address the root causes of crime and partner with the communities we serve to prevent those crimes from ever happening.”

Parker told Cincinnati Magazine he will continue to “get out from behind the desk” and speak with community groups about their challenges and what must be done to keep communities safe.

SDOH cases highlight prosecution of race, religion-based crimes

Two recent federal cases in the Southern District of Ohio demonstrate the Department of Justice’s commitment to vigorous prosecution of cases committed because of the victims’ race, religion.

Three men pleaded guilty in federal court in Columbus to crimes related to conspiring to attack power grids throughout the United States in furtherance of racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism advocating for the supremacy of the white race. And a former Columbus man was sentenced to prison for a hate crime that involved making antisemitic threats to neighbors and breaking their window. The FBI investigated both cases.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a hate crime or civil rights violation, please report it to civilrights.justice.gov or justice.gov/hatecrimes/get-help-now. You can also find these reporting sites on our U.S. Attorney’s Office homepage. 

For more information about efforts across the Department of Justice to address hate crime, please visit https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week scheduled for April 24-30

The 2022 NCVRW theme is Rights, access, equity, for all victims. This year's theme underscores the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice by—

  • enforcing victims' rights,
  • expanding access to services, and
  • ensuring equity and inclusion for all.

Join OVC in raising awareness of victims’ rights and services, celebrating progress achieved, and honoring victims and the professionals who serve them.

Update your preferences or sign up for the NCVRW subscription list to receive important email updates, including the online release of the complete 2022 NCVRW Resource Guide.

U.S. Attorney’s Office continues anti-violence focus, funding through Project Safe Neighborhoods

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a key element of the Justice Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. It reflects the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s strategy to address the most pressing violent crime problems with three principles in mind: fostering trust and legitimacy through increased community engagement; a heightened focus and attention on prevention and intervention; and strategic enforcement through enhanced multi-agency, multi-jurisdiction, proactive investigations.

Law enforcement agencies and community groups can learn about applying for local funding by contacting Law Enforcement Coordinator Mitch Seckman at mitchell.seckman@usdoj.gov.

In the District

Hamilton Police Chief Craig Bucheit invited U.S. Attorney Parker to listen and gather community concerns at a community meeting the police department hosted recently. Chief Bucheit also invted him to give a few remarks about our office’s priorities and the importance of having a strong community policing component working alongside law enforcement to ensure that the law is upheld.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Garcia and Ashley Brucato and a special agent with the ATF conducted a mock-investigation exercise with about 100 students from Oak Hills High School. They also presented their Avengers-themed mock investigation into “the shooting of Tony Stark” to students at Miami University.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Kelley delivered 3 presentations to students in Liberty High School in Delaware County. He gave the students an overview of civil versus criminal law.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Oakley served as a judge during the University of Cincinnati College of Law’s Moot Court competition. After the event, he recruited a student who is studying data and cyberlaw to serve as an intern in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Landry will participate in the 2022 Consumer Protection Fraud Forum in Cincinnati on March 24. The forum, sponsored by Pro Seniors, Inc. and Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol, returns to an in-person event after two years as a virtual event.

U.S. Attorney Parker met with Dr. Derrick L. Foward, President of the Dayton Chapter of NAACP, to discuss the Department of Justice’s emphasis on civil rights. Below, Mr. Parker participated in a Cincinnati Bar Association Roundtable podcast discussion on Judge William A. McClain and breaking through obstacles of racism. 

Mr. Parker also joined the faculty and families of Winton Hills Academy in their annual Peace Maker Ceremony. During this ceremony, the faculty honors one child from each classroom for their dedication to being their best selves and all that they do for their teachers, peers and school. These students show a willingness and drive to overcome their adversities. The school serves students who live in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Community.

 
Updated November 17, 2022

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