Indiana Improves Quality of Life
Statewide Community Prosecution Programs Abate Crime
When counties and states use a Community Prosecution model to address quality of life and violent crime issues, suddenly the arm of the law is not so far away. Thusly, problem solving skills and crime prevention tactics is immediately accessible. Prevention becomes the focus more so than the after affect of prosecution.
There are three prevalent statewide programs stemming from Indiana Governor, Mitchell Daniel's Office that appear to be based on the Community Prosecution model. It indicates that Community Prosecution programs are not limited to county efforts if a wider alliance or coalition component is added to the program model.
Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving
The Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving serves as the public opinion catalyst for statewide action to reduce death and injury on Indiana roadways. The Council provides ongoing support to state and local traffic safety advocates. The result is high impact commercials about the dangers of impaired driving and the what happens when caught.
The Council's advisory board, a group of 18 volunteers, is appointed by the governor to make traffic safety policy recommendations. On the advisory board are representatives from several County Prosecutors' Offices, a medical school and a children's hospital, the state Department of Corrections, state Homeland Security, County and State police, Excise police, state Prosecutors, Department of Education, the State Attorney General's Office, and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana
The Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana was established in 1989 by an Act of the General Assembly in an effort to accelerate Indiana’s fight against substance abuse. The Commission works in a collaborative capacity with 92 local coordinating councils representing all of Indiana's 92 counties.
On the state policy level, the Commission addresses administrative and legislative needs based on needs of the state as far as crime patterns and advises the governor and the General Assembly on strategies and policies needed to improve Indiana’s response in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse through public forums and reports.
The effect is to create useful laws that target and can possibly eradicate a growing crime trend which interferes with quality of life issues of residents in the state. This occurs on a local level when communities are involved by even sponsoring and holding rallies.
The Commission consists of mostly legislative members as the goal is to craft laws to abate identified crime patterns. The Meth Protection Act, SEA 444, created strong restrictions on the sale of many products used to produce or "cook" meth. This identifies the importance of the legislative addition to the Community Prosecution program model.
The Meth Free Indiana Coalition
The Meth Free Indiana Coalition was formed in 2005 to combat the destruction of Indiana communities caused by methamphetamine. This comprehensive approach to ridding Meth from Indiana communities relies on enforcement, child protection, prevention and treatment. The Coalition is comprised of more than 15 agencies - including state government - working in cooperation with retail establishments such as grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and convenience stores to help stop the meth epidemic.
According to the Meth Free Indiana Coalition, Methamphetamine is a unique drug which has taken hold in the Midwest. Meth users are prone to violence and negligent behavior that can affect their children, family and neighbors. Additionally, the chemicals used in meth production are flammable and highly toxic, posing a twofold threat to the environment and residents, posing a public health threat.
The ingredients to make methamphetamine are commonly found. It is precisely that commonality and ease of availability that has contributed to the rise of the drug's production in the Midwest. according to data from the Coalition.
A Coalition Helps Make Community Prosecution Work.
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