NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, FL (May 1, 2023) — On Monday, May 8, 2023, State Attorney Monique Worrell will host a full day summit on how to improve our violence prevention initiatives in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. The day will culminate in a public discussion recapping the earlier sessions, hearing from the community about their concerns and priorities, and laying out the critical next steps elected officials must take to help reduce violence.

During the morning sessions, the State Attorney will meet with local public safety leaders and policy makers in closed-door sessions. Participants will explore opportunities for further prevention efforts in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. During the afternoon sessions, elected officials, and national experts in prevention research will gather including DeVone Bogan from Advance Peace, Timmeka Perkins from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Teny Gross from the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, Jordan Costa from the Giffords Law Center, and Synethia White from Cities United, along with key community leaders including Antonio Cediel (Live Free), Desmond Meade (FRRC), and Ruben Saldaña (Credible Messengers of Florida), who will join their discussion. The event includes a lunchtime presentation by EveryTown for Gun Safety, the nation’s largest gun violence prevention organization, outlining the most current research on successful prevention strategies.

In the evening, State Attorney Worrell will host a public conversation with community members about the day’s events and how to successfully prevent violence. The event will feature the State Attorney, Orange County Undersheriff Mark Canty, Ruben Saldaña from the Credible Messengers of Florida, Pine Hills Community Council President Sandra Fatmi-Hall, Patti Brigham of Prevent Gun Violence Florida, and Desmond Measde from Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. Bishop Derrick McRae of The Experience Christian Center will moderate the event, and the public is invited to participate. Please register at tinyurl.com/SAO9GunViolenceTownhall. Refreshments will be served.

“We have to do more than complain about the violence that is plaguing this community and make serious investments in prevention—investments based on research and evidence about what works,” says State Attorney Monique Worrell. “Finger pointing is getting us nowhere. I am excited to bring together a diverse group of leaders and experts to enhance collaboration and develop comprehensive strategies, so that, in the future, we can tell people we’ve prevented harm from occurring, rather than saying we are sorry it happened.”

What: Full-Day Ninth Circuit Gun Violence Prevention Summit hosted by State Attorney Monique Worrell

When: Monday, May 8, 2023

• • Community Leadership Sessions: 9:30am – 3:30pm
  • Public Conversation and Townhall: 6pm – 8pm

Who:

• • Community Leadership Sessions: State Attorney’s Office—Ninth Judicial Circuit, Christian Minor (Florida Juvenile Justice Association), Mayor Buddy Dyer, Chief Dean DeSchryver (Edgewood Police Department), Chief Betty Holland (Kissimmee Police Department), Chief Darron Esan (Oakland Police Department), Sheriff John Mina (Orange County Sheriff’s Office), Chief Eric Smith (Orlando Police Department), Chief Douglas Goerke (St. Cloud Police Department), Chief Carl Metzger (University of Central Florida Police Department), Chief Steve Graham (Winter Garden Police Department), Congressman Maxwell Frost, Congressman Darren Soto, Representative Anna Eskamani, Representative Rita Harris, Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson, Orange County Commissioner Maya Uribe, City of Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill, City of Orlando Commissioner Bakari Burns, Everytown for Gun Safety, Dr. Antonio Cediel (LiveFree USA), Timmeka Perkins (Annie E. Casey Foundation), Synethia White (Cities United), Teny Gross (Institute for Nonviolence Chicago), DeVone Boggan (Advance Peace), Juan Carter (Giffords Law Center), Desmond Meade (Florida Rights Restoration Coalition), Abraham Morris (City of Orlando—My Brother’s Keeper Program Manager), Lisa Early (Director—Orlando Parks & Recreation), Patti Brigham (Prevent Gun Violence Florida), Sandra Fatmi-Hall (Pine Hills Community Council), Credible Messengers of Florida, Youth Advocate Programs, Dr. Jeremy Levitt (Stono Institute), Miami-Dade Juvenile Services

Where:

• • Community Leadership Sessions: Ninth Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney’s Office, 415 N. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
  • Public Conversation: The Experience Christian Center, 5230 Indian Hill Road, Orlando, FL 32808

For Interviews, Additional Information, and Media RSVPs, Please Contact:

• • Keisha Mulfort at PIO@sao9.org.