June 2, 2008
Contact: Pat Dodds, Public Affairs Officer, 480-312-2336
National group meets in Scottsdale to focus on
public safety best practices, state and federal policies
A high-level committee that helps set public safety policy for the nation’s largest municipal advocacy organization will meet June 5-7 in Scottsdale.
The steering committee on public safety and crime prevention for the National League of Cities will be in Scottsdale at the invitation of Councilman W.J. “Jim” Lane, who is a member.
The 45-member steering committee will convene at the Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E Main St. It is the core group that reports to the larger NLC Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee, which is responsible for policy in the areas of law enforcement, crime prevention, corrections, substance abuse, municipal fire policy, juvenile justice, disaster preparedness and relief, homeland security, domestic terrorism and court systems.
“One of the prime purposes of the NLC and the PSCP Committee is to share best practices among members and to coordinate the efficient use of our national public safety funding efforts with the state and federal governments,” said Councilman Lane.
“The PSCP meeting here provides an opportunity for us in Scottsdale along with our neighbors in Mesa and the East Valley to share public safety ideas and strategies with the NLC cities from across our country. Our Scottsdale public safety professionals in coordination with our neighboring Valley communities have much to showcase in cooperative and integrated emergency response, as well as in the tracking and the mitigation of criminal activity,” Councilman Lane said.
Many of the steering committee members have direct experience as public safety employees or have other expertise in the field of public safety.
Federal public safety organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be briefing the committee. Local law enforcement and fire safety officials also will discuss regional efforts, such as security planning for the 2008 Super Bowl and regional programs to reduce methamphetamine use. Committee members also are scheduled to tour Taser International’s headquarters in Scottsdale.
The NLC is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. More than 1,600 municipalities are members.
NLC policy is developed by seven committees of municipal officials. Each committee includes a smaller steering committee, which researches and drafts the policy positions, and a larger policy and advocacy committee, which reviews and chooses a policy agenda that is submitted to the entire NLC membership for approval. The league uses these policies in representing the interests of cities and towns before Congress and with federal agencies.
Councilman Lane was elected to the PSCP steering committee in 2007.