21st-Century Policing: Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center Presentation

Thanks to the collaborative leadership of the U. S. Marshall for the SDNY, the NYPD Southern California Liaison, the County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and the Orange County Sheriffs Office, I was privileged to deliver a January 10, 2024 presentation in California. 

The presentation titled 21st-Century Policing: Safeguarding our Communities occurred at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. It was presented to members of the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center. 

Attendees represented law enforcement agencies throughout California. They work in partnership on issues including domestic terrorism, civil unrest, violence prevention, criminal risks, and threat assessment. 

During the presentation, my topics included the following:

* American – Chinese Law Enforcement Comparisons

* Law Enforcement Safety, Morale, and Emotional Survival. 

* Community / Neighborhood Policing Concepts. 

*Building Partnerships Through Encounters. 

* Law enforcement / Community Bridges of Trust. 

* School Violence, Workplace Violence, Community Violence: Issues, and Response.  

* America’s Active Shooter Crisis

Attendees at the event included the following:

* Los Angeles Police Department

* Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department

* San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department 

* Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

* Orange County Sheriffs Department

* NYPD

* FBI

* County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department 

* San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

* United States Air Marshals

* San Diego Police Department

* Anaheim Police Department 

* Orange County Probation Department

* UCLA Police Department

* University of California Irvine Police Department

It was my honor to address these law enforcement officials dedicated to protecting and serving our communities as they represent the best of all of us. 

Additional initiatives in California are underway, and it will be my privilege to support all dedicated to public safety.  

Testimonial

Mr. Bove:

We want to thank you for attending our working group meeting last week in Lake Forest and addressing our law enforcement partners.  

Your words of encouragement and the importance of being open to encountering individuals provided a valuable perspective that can positively influence interactions between law enforcement and the community. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and wisdom with our working group. Your dedication to the law enforcement profession is truly commendable.  

Respectfully,

Genoveva (Veva) Gomez

Analyst / TFA FBI LBRA-5

Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center

Orange County Sheriff’s Department

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove is a national speaker and author on critical American issues. He has over 300 published works, and eighteen cover stories for The Chief of Police. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen to Their Cries.

Bove is recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award, and former confidant for the New York Yankees.

He served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy victim’s families, and has conducted extensive leadership presentations for the FBI, the United States Military Academy, law enforcement, educators, security professionals, and students nationwide.

 “We must all serve as catalysts to protect our workplaces, schools, communities, public spaces, and houses of worship.  Public safety demands leadership, vigilance, and collaboration.  Security demands comprehensive enhancements, on-going training, effective response to warning signs, and building bridges with law enforcement, private security, and every member of the community.”  -Vincent J. Bove

www.vincentbove.com  

Contact: vincent@vincentbove.com

Twitter: vincentjbove

Photo: OCIAC event (📸RALLC)

Related:

21st Century American Policing Demands

Ethical Leadership

America's Mass Shooter Crisis Demands Police-Community Unity

According to the NYPD NEWS official Twitter site, and extensive media coverage, there was a mass shooting on July 31, 2021 at approximately 10:41 pm.  The shooting occurred in front of 97-07 37 Avenue in Queens, New York.

Two male gunmen displayed firearms and shot into a crowd striking 10 people.  Then two additional suspects assisted with them fleeing the scene by way of scooters.

The Gun Violence Archive, which documents these incidents, stated that this mass shooting was only one of six that took place on the same day.  The others took place in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan.

Parenthetically, Gun Violence Archive also notes that the total number of gun violence deaths in America - All causes, from Jan. 1 - Aug. 1, 2021 is 25,946.  This is a horrific reality of America's culture of violence.

As detailed in my Principles of American Policing, the first principle spotlights the importance of police-community unity.  Specifically, "being pro-police and pro-community are inseparable.

Let us have it seared into our souls that America must build bridges between the police and community.  Only this unity will serve as the antidote to the venom of violence that has infected communities throughout the nation. 

Due to the ongoing tragic culture of violence throughout America, my article published in the Spring 2021 edition of The Chief of Police, and also in The Sentinel on May 1, 2021 follows in it's entirety: 

America’s Mass Shooter Crisis Demands Visionary Leadership

Unfortunately, the American flags continually flying half-staff to honor victims of mass shootings are a stark reminder of our culture of violence. It is a disturbing commentary on American life, when flags at half-staff seem to be the norm, rather than the exception.

America must never give up - we must ignite compassion in our hearts.

Each person who has perished in these senseless tragedies deserves America's remembrance, and we must resolve to end the scourge of violence.

Mass Casualty Culture: Changing the Paradigm

The Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security has addressed our mass casualty crisis in a sobering report.

The report titled How Violent Attacks are Changing the Demands of Mass Casualty Incidents: A Review of the Challenges Associated with Intentional Mass Casualty Incidents dramatically emphasizes the impact these tragedies have on communities.

FBI Active Shooter Definition / Reference Guide

Before we continue, it is important to have a working definition of active shooter.

The FBI Active Shooter Quick Reference Guide defines an active shooter as “an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area, typically through the use of firearms.”

The guide also highlights these points:

• Victims are selected at random
• Event is unpredictable and evolves quickly
• Knowing what to do can save lives

The guide also accentuates that when an active shooter is in your vicinity, you must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with the situation with three options of run, hide, or fight.

It is imperative that those responsible for security continually initiate assessments, training, and counter-measures that cultivates these three options.

Security Countermeasures: Practical Tips

A robust security program must be comprehensive, proactive, and continually updated. Security must never be piecemeal, negligent, or have its importance minimized.

Securing workplaces, schools, campuses, houses of worship, communities must include the following:

Security Vulnerability Assessments: These must be conducted by board-certified, reputable, and experienced public safety professionals to identify and evaluate areas of risk.

Background Checks / Investigations: This is an essential due diligence countermeasure to prevent hiring individual’s not deserving employment or access. These checks must be made by qualified, licensed professionals who honor background checks laws. Background checks include criminal history, drug testing, motor vehicle driving records, credit checks, liens, judgments, sexual offender registry’s, employment and professional credential verifications.

Investigations may include surveillance, interviewing, and information sources by experienced and ethical professionals and are critical to protecting enterprises.

Training: Security demands ongoing training including personal safety, substance abuse awareness, domestic violence, diversity, conflict resolution, ethics, situational awareness, Internet security, workplace violence, fire prevention, crisis management, emergency preparedness, loss prevention, economic crime, crime prevention, drills, evacuations, terrorism, and warning signs.

Warning Signs: Warning Signs Are Critical to Violence Prevention.  We must recognize warning signs and provide the necessary intervention, training, health care, and security measures to prevent tragedies.

Physical Security: This includes countermeasures preventing unauthorized access - fencing, barrier arms, bollards, card access systems, ID cards, lighting, crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), defense in depth, locks, alarms, fire extinguishers, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), mass communication systems, and metal detectors.

Personnel Security: Certified, well-trained, and licensed security officer programs with reputable contract or in-house professionals, either armed or unarmed personnel.

Procedural Security: Panning and evaluation with table-top exercises with partial and full scale drills based on numerous possible scenarios. Drills must involve law enforcement, first-responders, and private security professionals.  Essential to drills is the Active Shooter tips on the FBI website titled RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.

Informational / Cybersecurity: In this age of instantaneous global data at the fingertips of individuals, some with nefarious intentions, protecting information is vital.

Informational security must be effective and continually updated with ongoing training for personnel that empowers them with preventive techniques. This protects companies from breaches of information through the Internet, dumpster diving, and social engineering and can prevent unnecessary turmoil to companies and employees.

The Second Amendment: Enshrined Not Violated

One of my professional responsibilities over the last 30 years has included being a private security professional, coordinating armed security services.

America needs qualified armed security services, complementing law enforcement dedication, to safeguard society from individuals with nefarious criminal intentions.

Law-abiding citizens must also have their enshrined Second Amendment rights honored and never violated.

But there are individuals who should be unequivocally denied gun access as exemplified by the following tragedies:

Indianapolis FedEx – In Apr. 2021, this tragedy was the 45 mass shooting in America in just the past month. The 19-year-old who killed eight people at a FedEx facility purchased the two assault rifles used in the attack legally months after being investigated by the FBI due to his potential for violence, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Virginia Tech – Thirty-two people are shot dead, including 27 students and five faculty members, and another 17 were wounded the deadliest shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history. The gunman should have never been able to purchase a gun because a court order had previously declared him a danger to himself.

Lafayette Movie Theater – Two people were killed and nine wounded by a shooter who was denied a state-issued concealed weapons permit because he was accused of domestic violence and soliciting arson. The killer was also ordered by a judge to a psychiatric hospital but purchased a weapon legally despite fears from his family members that he was violent and mentally ill.

Emanuel A.M.E. Church – Nine people were killed by an individual who should have been denied purchasing a .45-caliber Glock pistol because he was charged with a misdemeanor and had admitted to possessing drugs. There was a breakdown in the federal gun background check system with former FBI Director James B. Comey  stating, “We wish we could turn back time. From this vantage point, everything seems obvious.”

Marysville High School, Washington – A 15-year-old used his father’s pistol to kill four students. The father should have been denied the gun purchase since he was the subject of a permanent domestic violence order that was never entered into the federal criminal background database.

Washington Navy Yard – Although he sought treatment for psychiatric issues and told police detailed psychotic experiences, the killer was able to buy a shotgun in Virginia used to kill 12 people. He had been denied an assault rifle purchase.

Newtown, Connecticut – 26 people, mostly children, were killed by a 20-year-old known to have psychiatric and anxiety issues as well as an obsessive-compulsive disorder. He had access to his mother’s guns, which he also used to kill her.

Aurora, Colorado Theater – Although seeing a psychiatrist, and even if for serious mental health issues, weapons were legally purchased by a man who used them to kill 12 people and wound 70 others.

Tucson, Arizona – Although arrested for drug paraphernalia and a year later failing Army enlistment drug testing, the killer legally brought a handgun to kill six people. He also shot U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, leaving her with a severe brain injury.

Police-Community Unity: Culture of Trauma Antidote

Violence has been unleashed in America, as video allows us to witness horrific mass shooting tragedies and senseless killings of law enforcement.

The violence has no end in sight and every community, citizen, and police officer is a potential victim.

The antidote to this culture of trauma is police-community unity, indispensable to the security of our society.

Citizens and police must unite to turn the tide of this culture of trauma. America’s healing will only be possible with ethical leadership, unwavering collaboration, and moral courage. We must vigilantly work together for the common good.

When our communities and police are infused by an ethical compass, a unity of effort that builds bridges rather than walls, and a passion to do what is right for America, we will be on the path to reawakening the nation.

Enhancing Private Security Professionals

Private security must honestly evaluate its services in light of unprecedented violence unleashed throughout America, to prevent future tragedies.

This review must include background and criminal records checks for all security personnel-both contractual and in-house-ongoing training initiatives exceeding legal requirements, and certifications exceeding the status quo.

Also, the implementation of critical response private security personnel demands serious consideration to harden high-profile soft targets. This is the new reality of private security – certified and licensed armed security personnel.  These professionals are in highly visible tactical gear, serving as a deterrent and have the experience to respond to a crisis. These individuals should have either law enforcement or military experience, with specialty units such as SWAT, or emergency services.

There are ready, willing, and able professionals, ready to harden soft targets with critical response programs. America must be vigilant, and respond courageously to the war drums of violence.

We must be proactive and harden our soft targets.

Private security must be on the cutting edge, continually enhancing countermeasures, protocols, and initiatives.

Final Reflections: Preventing Violence, Essential Questions

During my violence prevention presentations, I often ask attendees the following questions:

• Is there a violence prevention policy in place and is it continually updated and followed?
• Do you have an active threat assessment team that includes a law enforcement liaison?
• 
  Have you conducted violence response training including table-top, partial scale, and full scale scenarios?
• Has your facility had a recent board certified security vulnerability assessment?
• Are your security personnel trained and certified according to state requirements with additional initiatives that exceed the status quo?
• What type of training have your implemented for those entrusted to your care on issues including domestic violence, warning signs, security protocols, school and workplace violence, emergency preparedness, sexual harassment, bullying, diversity and the active shooter?

 

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove, CPP, is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America with over 300 published works.  Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award and former confident of the New York Yankees.  He is co-founder of Global Security Resolutions and served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy families of victims. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen To Their Cries.

For more information see www.vincentbove.com or twitter@vincentjbove

References:

Center for Homeland Defense & Security Report: https://www.hsaj.org/articles/16880

 FBI Active Shooter Event Quick Reference Guide: https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/active-shooter-event-quick-reference-guide_2015.pdf/view

Published: The Chief of Police, Spring 2021 - Distributed hard copy to police chiefs and law enforcement executives nationwide.          

Photos:

1.  NYPD Assistant Chief Galen Frierson speaks during a news conference Sunday regarding a Saturday mass shooting in Queens, New York City, Aug. 1, 2021,  (Courtesy NYPD)
2. Surveillance video released by the NYPD shows suspects wanted in a series of recent shootings, July 31, 2021, Queens, New York. (Credit NYPD via Twitter)
3. Virginia Tech Remembrance, Apr. 17, 2007. (Creative Commons Attribution, Public Domain, Photo by Ben Townsend).
4. Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley, killed heroically responding to Mar. 22, 2021 mass shooting. (Courtesy Boulder PD)
5. NYPD officers, NYC synagogue. (Credit NYPD Counterterrorism)
6. Las Vegas Memorial. (Noah Wulf, Public Domain)
7. Joint Terrorism Task Force. (Courtesy FBI)
8. NYPD, Radio City Music Hall, NYC, Apr. 27, 2013.  (Vincent J. Bove) 

American School Violence Demands Moral Courage

On Friday, February 14, 2020, I was privileged to continue years of public safety and leadership presentations throughout the nation, with a program in New Jersey.

This presentation was customized for private security professionals, primarily retired law enforcement officials, who safeguard charter schools in New Jersey.

Today’s program, American School Violence Demands Moral Courage, was held at the Passaic Arts and Science Center Middle School in Passaic, New Jersey.

Due to the intense national discussion on school security, the safety of students in American schools is of paramount concern.

Yet, aside from the demands of being safe havens, schools must also develop students of character and academic excellence.

Program Agenda

The session identified school security concerns, and addressed practical countermeasures to protect schools.

Unlike status quo presentations on school violence that address security vulnerability assessments, physical security, personnel security, procedural security, and cyber-security - all of which are important components of school security - this presentation addressed the brokenness of society, and how the gap often filled through self-destructive choices.

This brokenness was exemplified in the gang culture, the under the influence society, the opioid crisis, toxic relationships, and dysfunctional families.

The presentation also highlighted that character education, as a response to the head on collision of our culture of violence and crisis of leadership, was mission critical to safeguarding communities, and reawakening the dignity of America.

The agenda was as follows:

• SNAPSHOT – CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP
• SNAPSHOT – CRISIS OF VIOLENCE
• U.S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION / U.S. SECRET SERVICE DOCUMENT REVIEW
• CULTURE OF PREPAREDNESS
• PRINCIPLES OF CHARACTER EDUCATION
• CREATING A CULTURE – SECURITY, CHARACTER, ACADEMICS – BUILDING COMMUNITY
• CALL TO ACTION
• PREVENTION EDUCATION: TRANSFORMING THROUGH CHARACTER
• HONORING AMERICAN MILITARY
• CONCLUSION

In addition, all attendees received a complementary collection of my published articles through the courtesy of The Chief of Police Magazine.

Inspire the Heart, Transform the Nation

One aspect of today’s program was the preventive system of education, which I have worked to exemplify and share nationwide throughout my career.

In my opinion, there are essentially two basic forms of education in American schools.

There is the repressive system that makes rules known, watches for transgressions, and is quick to discipline a student by inflicting condescending correction and punishment. The errant zero-tolerance policy in so many schools is an example of a repressive system — rigid, bureaucratic, and impersonal.

The proper approach is the preventive system of education. In this pedagogy, educators are vigilant in a caring manner and offer patient guidance from the heart consistent with kindness, character, and reasonableness. The preventive system of education builds trust and connections with students and the community.

The opposite of a zero-tolerance approach is a measured intervention approach that promotes reasonableness, dignity, and respect.

Simply expressed, the repressive system is dictatorial and may temporarily stop a disorder, but will not inspire students.

Conversely, the preventive system speaks the language of the heart and is transformational.

These are some principles of the preventive system, critical to Reawakening America and deserving implementation in America’s schools:

• Teachers inspire admiration as they care for youth entrusted to their care.
• Teachers are respected as individuals with character, and motivate the same in their students.
• The edifice of the preventive system is character and its pillars, including respect, responsibility, fairness, kindness, and citizenship.
• A vigilant presence is exercised to prevent inappropriate behavior and reward proper behavior.
• Improvements with behavior are motivated through kindness and respect rather than punishment.
• A collaborative and speedy intervention to warning signs takes place due to the educator’s presence and awareness.
• Educators influence through positive attitudes, professionalism, and being approachable.
• Discipline can be as effective as an expression of disappointment, or a reproachful look because the student admires the teacher and loyalty and respect has been earned.
• Students are affirmed for their qualities and do not lose heart when mistakes are made.
• Students are encouraged to do what is right through the teacher’s patience, guidance, and understanding.

Interestingly, this system of education has insights not only for schools, but for leaders of law enforcement, corporations, government, military, and families. It deserves review, reflection, and development.

New Jersey Programs

Aside from presentations throughout the nation, and serving as spokesperson for a coalition of family victims from the Virginia Tech tragedy, it has been my privilege to collaborate with law enforcement and school officials. This has taken place in schools and districts,as well as in county, and state programs throughout New Jersey.

It has also been my privilege to author an extensive collection of published works on violence prevention, public safety, and leadership. These include nearly 300 published works and my two newest books, Listen To Their Cries, and Reawakening America.

My works have also included board certified security vulnerability assessments for school districts, student/staff presentations, character education programs, professional development training, post order / emergency plan development, and keynotes / presentations for the following NJ clients:

*The Southern New Jersey Prosecutor’s School Security Conference
*Bergen County Education Association Conference in partnership with the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and Bergen County Police Chiefs Association
*Saint Peter's College
*New Jersey Education Association
*North Arlington Public Schools
*Hackensack Public Schools
*Hackensack Police Department
*Tenafly Public Schools
*West Milford Public Schools
*Monmouth University
*The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
*Cinnaminson Township Public Schools
*Wood-Ridge Public Schools
*North Arlington Public Schools
*Fort Lee Public Schools
*Morris County Professional Counselors Association
*Fairleigh Dickinson University
*North Bergen Board of Education
*Union City Board of Education
*Rebeka Verea Foundation
*Bergenfield Public Schools
*New Jersey School Boards Association
*New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
*Morris County Council of Education Associations
*Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute
*New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police
*New Jersey City University
*New Jersey Association of School Administrators
*West New York Board of Education
*Carlstadt Public Schools
*Livingston Police Department
*New Milford Board of Education
*New Jersey Association of School Business Officials
*North Jersey Regional Crime Prevention Officers Association
*New Jersey Bias Crime Officers Association
*FBI, Newark Field Division
*Jersey City Police Department, East District
*Essex County College Police Academy
*DARE NJ
*River Vale Police Department
*Teaneck Police Department
*Essex County Police Chiefs Association
*Northern Highlands Regional High School

It has also been my distinct honor to serve the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association as liaison for the Community Policing / Violence Prevention Committee for 18 consecutive years. During these years, I have shared monthly remarks to about 100 members of the association including police chiefs from over 70 departments, the FBI, the NYPD and Port Authority Police Department, associates, and affiliates.

Recognition

A special recognition is deserved for Leo P. McGuire, Director of Risk Management for numerous schools in New Jersey, and the former Sheriff of Bergen County. His leadership was evident in his presentation today, and in his partnership with me for a major Bergen County Safe Schools initiative. This program was in collaboration with the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Today's attendees also deserve commendation for their dedication to safeguarding schools, their former law enforcement careers, and their military service, since many served in our armed forces, including one who was a Purple Heart Recipient.

Final Reflection

It was a pleasure to return to Passaic today, and reignite cherished memories of working here in the past as School Principal at a location just a few blocks away.

After the presentation, I took a drive past the school and was reminded me of the privilege of serving as an educator, both in my past roles as teacher, coach, and principal, and now in my present role of safeguarding schools, communities, workplaces, and houses of worship.

Most importantly, it was an honor to serve these fine men and women today, and present them Certificates of Participation.

It is my sincere hope that my words of encouragement and appreciation will benefit them in their sancrosanct duty to protect schools here in New Jersey.

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove, CPP, is a national speaker and author of 275 published works on issues critical to America. Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, and is former confident of the New York Yankees. He served as spokesperson for a coalition of victim’s families of the Virginia Tech tragedy. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen To Their Cries.

For more information: vincentbove.com or twitter @vincentjbove

Note Well:

A report on this event was shared with the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association (BCPCA) on Feb. 20, 2020 in Wood-Ridge, NJ. This took place during my remarks to BCPCA members including chiefs, associates and affiliates.

Photos

1. Leo P. McGuire addressing attendees, Feb. 14, 2020. (Vincent J. Bove)
2. PPT opening slide. (Vincent J. Bove)
3. The Chief of Police Magazine cover story on school violence, Spring 2018
4. Arlington Public Schools presentation by Vincent J. Bove, Jan. 6, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)
5. Monmouth University Honor Society students, Monmouth University Keynote by Vincent J. Bove, Mar. 8, 2014. (Vincent J. Bove)
6. The Chief of Police Magazine cover story on school violence, Fall 2018
7. Certificates of Participation Draft for Feb. 14, 2020 attendees

America’s Drug Crisis Demands Ethical Protectors

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D. C. is hallowed ground dedicated to honoring Americans who gave the last measure of devotion to freedom in the Vietnam War.

According to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall-USA website, there are 58,195 names engraved on the wall. The wall stands as a perpetual reminder honoring Americans who lost their lives in Vietnam from 1955-1975.

These sacrifices remind us of the price of freedom, and the courage, heroism, and character of America.

America’s Lives Lost: A New Crisis

As staggering as the loss of life from the Vietnam War is, America is now faced with a new crisis.

Last year alone, more Americans were likely killed by drug overdoses in one year than during the entire Vietnam War.

Data from a recent National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH) study predicts an alarming escalation of drug deaths to an estimated 71,600 in 2017.

The report, memorialized through graphic charts on the NIH website crystalizes the horrific toll of the drug crisis. The report includes the following:

• Among the more than 64,000 drug overdose deaths estimated in 2016, the sharpest increase occurred among deaths related to fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (synthetic opioids) with over 20,000 overdose deaths.
• More than 64,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2016, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids-the death toll nearly doubling over the past decade.

Addressing America’s Drug Crisis

For the past 20 years the clarion call to eradicate America’s drug crisis has been addressed in my presentations and published works.

This dedication continued on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017 with my presentation titled “America’s Drug Crisis: Issues and Response” in Champion, Pennsylvania.

The presentation was conducted for over 250 attendees as requested by the Professional Affordable Housing Management Association (PAHMA). This association is to be commended for their efforts to remedy this crisis. PAMHA is also to be complemented for their generous printing of my numerous Epoch Times articles on the opioid crisis for all attendees.

My presentation illuminated the inseparability of America’s drug crisis with our culture of violence, crisis of leadership, gang culture, and deterioration of families. It concluded, as with all my presentations do, with a tribute to American military sacrifices and solutions to remedy the crisis.

Recent headlines from throughout the nation, highlighted in graphic slides, crystallized the enormity of the crisis and included the following:

• US heroin deaths jump 533% since 2002, report says
• Born Addicted: The Number of Opioid-Addicted Babies is Soaring
• America’s opioid crisis has cut into U.S. life expectancy
• Opioids create generation of American orphans
• Enough Fentanyl to Kill 32 Million People Seized During New York City Drug Busts, Police Say
• Drug Deaths in America Rising Faster Than Ever
• This is a nationwide problem: Drug investigation leads to 25 arrests in Harrisburg area
• Feds: Chicago gang members killed six in conspiracy to control drug trade
• Feds and NYC authorities arrest 49 members of cartel-linked Bronx based drug distribution network
• State of Addiction: How did Pennsylvania find itself so deep in the opioid epidemic

Inseparable Link: Gang Dealers and Deviant Executives

At one point during my presentation, there was a rousing spontaneous applause. This was expressed after my passionate remarks on Purdue Pharma corporate executives. I stated that these individuals were inseparably linked to street-level drug dealers and they were pivotal to America’s drug crisis.

According to a May 10, 2007 news release on the United States Attorney’s Office Western District of Virginia website, top executives from Purdue Pharma plead guilty. This was based on their misbranding OxyContin and involved their agreement to pay over $600 million in damages.

This guilty plea came just a few days after the pharmaceutical giant also agreed to pay $19.5 million to 26 states and the District of Columbia. This was to settle complaints of their encouraging medical doctors to overprescribe OxyContin.

The U.S. Attorney John Brownlee at the time said, "With its OxyContin, Purdue unleashed a highly abusable, addictive, and potentially dangerous drug on an unsuspecting an unknowing public. For these misrepresentations and crimes, Purdue and its executives have been brought to justice."

The public was betrayed about OxyContin and its dangerous risk of addiction by morally bankrupt, greedy, and shameless executives. They made billions through their self-aggrandizement by fraudulent and deviant scheming that led to thousands of deaths from OxyContin. This criminality not only took lives but ruined many people and their families by a drug which they knew was destructively addictive.

America Requires Ethical Protectors

During the entire presentation I continually encouraged attendees to respond to America’s drug crisis as ethical protectors.

I stressed that this deadliest drug crisis in American history, that killed more people last year then guns or car accidents, will require a multi-faceted and long-term approach.

This approach must include community leaders throughout all segments of society. It must also include not only a traditional law enforcement response, but police-community collaborations that offer treatments for those suffering from addiction.

The presentation concluded by emphasizing the critical importance of empowering our youth. America’s youth must be supported, encouraged, and empowered with the moral courage to stand as ethical protectors.

Final Reflections

Our youth are critical to vanquishing the scourge of America’s drug crisis which is inflicting unimaginable heartbreak on communities, families, and individuals.

The virtue of character throughout society was stressed, especially character education initiatives in our schools.

A quote from Cicero was emphasized as essential to character education in our schools:

“Within the character of the citizen lies the welfare of the citizen.”

America must rise to the call of an ethical renaissance. We must stand as ethical protectors throughout society and heed the beckoning of these concluding words of my presentation:

“Your honor, leadership, and integrity is mission critical to safeguarding America, protecting our people, and preserving our democracy.”

Related Coverage:

Opioid Addiction: America’s Public Health Crisis

America’s Drug Crisis Demands Police-Community Unity

America’s Opioid Crisis: The Heart of the Solution

America’s 21st Century Teacher: Security, Character, Pedagogy

Photos

1. PHAMA event, Champion, PA, Oct. 20, 2017. (Courtesy Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing)
2. A heroin user injects himself on March 23, 2016 in New London, CT. (John Moore/Getty Images)
3. A bottle of OxyContin sits on the counter of the Post Haste Pharmacy And Surgical Store in Hollywood, Fla., on June 16, 2003. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Vincent is author of 250 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Chicago Crisis of Violence Demands Visionary Leadership

The cascade of bloodshed being witnessed throughout Chicago, one of the iconic American cities, is a national indictment.

This indictment is reflected in a moral decay, decrepit school system, apathy, and a failure of leadership.

Each and every law-abiding person who lives in America deserves the dignity of security. Every human being deserves protection from violence.

Preventing violence must not only consist of soundbites based on good intentions. The crisis demands a realistic visionary leadership that can inspire transformation throughout every element of the community.

Visionary leadership is critical to Chicago. It must be grounded with practical tools that build collaboration. Visionary leadership is built on the pillars of courage, community, and character.

We must not be indifferent to the bloodshed unleashed in Chicago.

America has a legacy of conquering seemingly insurmountable mountains. We must avoid apathy and ignite hope.

We have the character to change the tide of violence in Chicago and we must overcome indifference and inspire community.

Sobering Reality of Chicago’s Violence

The crisis of violence impacting Chicago continues through alarming current headlines that include the following:

*Shootings up nearly 50 percent after another violent weekend in Chicago
*The Chicago murder rate is so high, it’s expected to have an unimaginable national effect
*Why 2016 Has Been Chicago’s Bloodiest Year in Almost Two Decades
*Chicago’s Top Cop: Residents Are Begging Me To Save Them From The Violence
*Homicides out of control in Chicago
*Chicago hits grim milestone of 700 murders for 2016 and the years not over

These horrific headlines clearly reflect the crisis of Chicago violence. America must have a sense of moral outrage and inspire determination to change the course.

The Chicago crisis is a national scandal demanding visionary leadership that ignites community.

Transformation for Chicago must include the schools, workplaces, communities, faith-based communities, political officials, criminal justice system, media, law enforcement agencies, and of course families.

Families are being shattered throughout American society and we must address this crisis, especially through our schools.

Although transformation for Chicago appears to be an intimidating task, America has a legacy of rising to the occasion.

As a nation, we must remain courageous, never lose heart, and remain committed to animating character back into our society.

Chicago: America’s Violence Epicenter

In my July 25, 2015 article for the Epoch Times titled “Chicago Gang Crisis: Epicenter of Violence in America,” I detailed blistering violence tragedies.

The violence has intensified with heartbreaking headlines memorializing the carnage.

Warning signs have been screaming for effective intervention. These warning signs are most tragically witnessed as we listen to the cries of mothers losing their children to violence.

The great windy city of Chicago, acclaimed in song as “my kind of town” is a city in crisis.

The throbbing cadence of the city’s heartbeat is disintegrating with the venom of gangs, drugs, shootings, murders, mayhem, chaos, hopelessness, poverty, and death.

Final Reflections

Chicago’s renewal demands ambassadors of visionary leadership that inspire change, collaboration, character, and unity.

Chicago must accept a responsibility to change with a sense of urgency. Ethical guardians must be inspired not only in the Chicago police department, but among its political leaders, and every member of society.

Solutions include the Chicago Police Department’s unwavering commitment to the highest levels of ethical training, accountability, transparency, and community policing certifications.

But the responsibility for change is not entirely the responsibility of the Chicago Police Department. Every member of society has responsibilities, and we must forge iron-clad partnerships. Every member of society is co-dependent on one another for security, safety, and community harmony.

The immortal quote of Benjamin Franklin “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately” comes to mind. It can be paraphrased for life in Chicago as the following.

We are in a time of crisis and we must all learn to live together, or surely we will perish together.

Chicago must also remember that over time this moral cancer of violence has festered, and time will be critical for healing.

The time to begin the healing process is now. Chicago must ignite the flames of character throughout the community and pay a particular dedication to its youth.

The young people of Chicago, and throughout the nation, are the catalysts of change.

Our youth are the hope of America. We must encourage them, inspire them, and give them the tools of character that their communities and nation deserves.

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

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Vincent is author of over 200 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.

Photo
Police investigate the scene of a quadruple homicide on the city's southside on Dec. 17, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. Three people were found shot to death inside a home in the Fernwood neighborhood, another 2 were found shot outside the home, one of those deceased. Chicago has had more than 750 homicides in 2016. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Chicago Gang Crisis: an Epicenter of Violence in America

The great American city of Chicago is making headlines once again but unfortunately for all the wrong reasons.

This past weekend, as America proudly celebrated Independence Day, Chicago was blistered with headlines depicting its crisis of violence including the following:

• 64 People Shot in Chicago Over July 4th Holiday, 10 Dead
• 7-Year-Old Chicago Boy Among 10 Killed in Bloody Weekend
• Violence Rises With the Heat of the Summer
• Deadly Weekend in Chicago Highlights City's Gang Warfare
• Chicago Violence: Top Cop Blames Justice System
• Chicago on Alert for All Manner of Violence
• Gangs and Gunfire: Surviving Chicago’s Season of Violence

A Mother’s Fear
These sobering violence issues can lose the impact to shake America’s soul-they are becoming all too common.

America, listen to the heart of a mother who loves her children and lives daily with fear for their safety.

Lula Hill is one of the countless Chicago mothers who crystallizes this fear.

She lives in the South Side Chicago neighborhood of Roseland and uses both practical steps and spiritual interventions to keep her three sons alive.

The boys, Andre, 16, Fabian, 15 and Jaden, 8 have been trained by Lula to stay away from the windows of their home because of the fear of gunshots.

Lula also encourages their involvement with school, sports, and their church.

Aside from these practical steps, she anoints each of them with holy oil, while praying for divine protection, whenever any of them leave the home.

This is the heart-wrenching reality of life for one of many devoted American mothers.

Chicago’s Murdered Children

In September, 2013, a Chicago gang member killed a 9-year-old boy because he yelled after seeing a gun.

The child was shot dead from approximately 4-10 feet away because the killer believed he was warning rival gang members of his presence.

The tragedies of Chicago children being murdered are an ongoing reality of the city's violence.

Agonizing tragedies include the January 2013 murder of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old honor student who had just had the happiest day of her life one week earlier. Hadiya had performed for President Obama’s inauguration.

She was shot and killed while racing to a shelter during a rainstorm. Ironically, her flight for safety was just a mile away from Obama’s Chicago home.

On July 4, 2015, in Hadiya Pendleton Park, a park named in Hadiya’s honor, another Chicago mother wept.

“My baby’s gone, my baby’s gone…” she continually repeated while sobbing uncontrollably.

Latasha Banks Hall was mourning her son, Vonzell Banks, a 17-year-old shot in the back while playing basketball.

The teen was known as a young man who loved his Christian faith and used his musical talent at numerous church events.

In 2009 published reports, 508 Chicago children were shot during 16 months with 25 killed.

America: Stop the Carnage

On Oct. 6, 2009 I addressed the Chicago crisis with registered letters to President Obama, the U.S. Department of Justice, and numerous officials of Chicago and the State of Illinois.

I called upon the President and government leaders to establish a Stop the Violence initiative for Chicago as highlighted in this excerpt from my letter:

“I implore you to make the elimination of violence in the windy city a top priority of your administration. If we agree that it would have been a worthwhile investment to prepare the city to host the 2016 Olympics, how much more is the value of human life? We must work to find a way to save lives, reduce hostility, and create a national model for the "audacity of hope" in all our urban areas suffering the scourge of senseless brutality.”

Tragically, the culture of violence addressed continues with no end in sight.

The eyes of America are upon Chicago, not as a city that will hold Olympic Games, but with a clarion call to reawakening the nation from violence to hope through moral courage, determined leadership, and persevering collaboration.

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

As authored for Vincent’s weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times, 35 countries, 21 languages and growing.


Photos
1. Courtesy City of Chicago
2. Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton (L) holds a picture of her daughter Hadiya, 15, while standing with Shundra Robinson who is holding a picture of her son Deno Wooldridge, 18, on Dec. 14, 2013 in Chicago. Hadiya was shot and killed while hanging out with friends in a park after school on Jan. 29, 2013. Wooldridge was shot and killed while standing on his grandmother's porch on Oct. 18, 2010. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

America’s Gangs: Guns, Drugs, Violence, Prison, Death

Gangs have been glamorized in movies such as "West Side Story," "Gangs of New York," "Goodfellas," American Gangster, and "Boyz in the Hood."

But beyond Hollywood, poisonous gang activities are taking place throughout American communities, schools, prisons, shopping malls, and even the military.


FBI Concerns
According to the FBI, there are some 33,000 violent street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs with about 1.4 million members criminally active in America.

Many of these gangs are highly sophisticated, and organized, using violence for control.

Illegal money-making activities include robbery, gun and drug trafficking, fraud, white-collar crime, extortion, and prostitution.

Gangs also exploit the most advanced technologies and social media for recruitment, communication, targeting enemies, and advancing criminal activities.

The National Gang Intelligence Center on the FBI site states:

•Gangs are responsible for about 48 percent of violent crime in most jurisdictions and up to 90 percent in others.
•Gangs are increasingly becoming engaged in alien smuggling, human trafficking, and prostitution as well as counterfeiting, identity theft, and mortgage fraud.
•Family members assist with gang activities during a gang member’s incarceration.
•Gang infiltration of the U.S. Military involves at least 53 gangs identified on domestic and international installations.
•Gang members often acquire high-powered, military style weapons, posing serious threats to law enforcement and communities.
•Gangs encourage members, associates, and relatives to obtain law enforcement, judiciary, or legal employment in order to gather information on rival gangs and law enforcement operations.

The MS-13 Threat

To clearly understand the gang threat, let us take a look at one of these gangs, MS-13. The FBI assessment of MS-13 states that it operatives in at least 42 states and the District of Columbia. Its membership is about 6,000-10,000 nationwide.
This FBI description captures their brutality:

"they have severed the fingers of their rivals with machetes… brutally murdered suspected informants including a 17-year-old pregnant federal witness… attacked law enforcement officers… committed a string of rapes, assaults, break-ins, auto thefts, extortions, and frauds across the United States… been involved with everything from drug and firearms trafficking to prostitution and money laundering… and are sowing violence and discord not just in the United States but around the world".

Prevention through Awareness

A primary defense in protecting youth from gang influence is to prevent initiation at the earliest stage possible. In order to be effective in this regard, the collaborative partnership between the schools, law enforcement, and families is critical.

A wake-up call should ring within a parent, educator, security, or law enforcement official if a child exhibits any warning signs:
•Admits involvement
•Is obsessed with gang clothing
•Uses gang logos / graffiti
•Deceitful about their activities
•Declining grades / truancy
•Contempt for authority
•Obsessed with gangster lyrics
•Associates with gang members
•Uses gang hand signs
•Has physical injuries from gang initiation
•Produces unexplained cash and jewelry
•Substance abuse
•Has possession of a weapon

Final Reflection
Gangs are an American reality with members often disenfranchised, marginalized, misguided youth who can themselves be products of dysfunctional families or a cycle of violence, and gang involved parents and family members.

Gang members can also be individuals from oppressed countries where violence and a survival of the fittest mentality by any means is a way of life.

The desperate allurement of American youth to the gang culture can be expressive of a need for recognition, protection, and belonging.

America's response must be exercised through not only the criminal justice system where there must be consequences for illegal activity but though a collaboration of law enforcement, private security, family, community, faith-based, and educational partners.

Prevention of gang indoctrination and involvement must begin with awareness at the earliest years of educational formation in the home and school.

America must make positive alternatives attractive to counter the false allurement of the gang culture that ends only in disillusionment, violence, prison, or even death.

Note Well:
Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

As authored for Vincent’s weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times, 35 countries, 21 languages and growing.




Photos
1. NY FBI SWAT with MS-13 suspects in custody. (Photo Courtesy FBI)
2. FBI arresting alleged gang member in New York. (Photo Courtesy FBI)
3. MS-13 suspect in custody. (Photo Courtesy FBI)
4. MS-13 tattoos. (Photo Courtesy FBI)