Mesa Community Based Prosecution Bureau Holds Its First Meeting with Community Leaders

MCAO Working to Address Appropriate Terms of Probation for Sex Traffickers

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and MCAO prosecutors have begun a conversation regarding needed changes to conditions of release and terms of probation for individuals convicted of sex trafficking. A renewed look at these terms and conditions is needed to account for differences in offender profiles from offenders committing other types of sex offenses. Currently, those who are released from prison after serving a sentence for sex trafficking are placed under similar restrictions and terms of community supervision as those facing charges of or sentenced to probation for sex crimes.
 
While these conditions address many public safety concerns and take into account the circumstances of offenders, they do not necessarily address the potential treatment and/or program needs and public safety concerns of someone convicted of sex trafficking. A recently formed working group is looking into the possibility of creating new standard probation terms that could be applied to sex traffickers upon release from prison.
 
“Right now there are terms of probation for some specific categories of crime such as sex offenders, white collar criminals, and domestic violence. However, sex traffickers do not quite fit into just one of these categories. The nature of sex trafficking can result in an offender who may need a mix of terms that includes some of those required of sex offenders, yet also those addressing domestic violence. We need a more flexible approach to create a set of terms for a sex trafficking offender that will protect the community, preclude future victims, and provide the probationer with the appropriate structure to keep them from reoffending,” said Assistant Bureau Chief of MCAO’s Sex Crimes East Unit Sara Micflikier.
 
Micflikier raised the need for a review and helped bring together a workgroup that now includes representatives from Adult Probation, law enforcement and members of the mental health field. While the group is in its early stages, there is a lot of support for creating a new set of supervision terms for sex traffickers.
 
“Recent changes to our statutes now allow for the courts to give these types of offenders lifetime probation. We want to make sure that the terms of the probation they receive after they are released from prison appropriately protect the community from further harm while also allowing these individuals to receive the supervision and resources they need to create a new law abiding life,” said Micflikier.
 
Once the work group has a finalized proposal on the new terms for supervision, they will submit it to the courts and probation to see if this new set of terms can be implemented.

Erin Wickersham Recognized as
2017 Arizona Crime Analyst of the Year

Each year the Arizona Association of Crime Analysts (AACA) recognizes a member who has gone above and beyond in the field of crime analysis and this year that member is MCAO’s Erin Wickersham.  As a Crime Statistical Analyst in the MCAO Crime Strategies Section, Erin’s expertise has been instrumental in developing and implementing Intelligence Focused Prosecution (IFP) and the Crime Strategies Section within the office.  Crime Analysis units at police agencies are common, but utilizing the same type of information gathering and dissemination at a prosecutor’s office is rare.  Erin has spearheaded the crime strategies work at our Office and facilitated the development of the strategic and tactical functions of IFP that will help facilitate seamless information sharing and crime data analysis.
 
The AACA, one of the largest statewide arms of the International Association of Crime Analysts, has more than 100 sworn and non-sworn members across Arizona who are research specialists, strategic planners and strategic and tactical crime analysts – all of whom work in law enforcement agencies, police departments and city, state and county attorney offices.  Nominations are reviewed by the AACA Board and one member is selected who truly demonstrates what it is to be a crime analysis professional.  Brittany Willis, Police Analyst at the Scottsdale Police Department and current AACA President, recognized Erin’s accomplishments at the December AACA meeting and commended her involvement with the association, “Erin’s training and presentations to AACA members and member agencies are not only helping promote the crime analysis field, but are also enhancing the work being done by the prosecutors at her agency.”  Mary Bertuccelli, Crime Analysis Unit Supervisor at Scottsdale Police Department and one of Erin’s nominators agrees, “Erin has really taken initiative as a crime analyst for MCAO and her work is bringing our role to the forefront by recognizing that we as analysts are well aware of who the crime drivers are in our communities.”   
 
The AACA reports that talent within the association has grown and the demand for skilled, knowledgeable crime analysts in all parts of criminal justice has increased. They also find that decision-makers are relying on crime analysis more and more.  County Attorney Bill Montgomery is gratified by the work being accomplished by the MCAO’s Crime Strategies Section and of this distinct recognition, “As the public demands more information about crimes and criminals, it is analysts like Erin who have the expertise and training to be able to quickly identify, summarize and disseminate important information to prosecutors and the community.  Erin’s award for her outstanding crime analysis work is well-deserved.”

Congratulations Erin!

MCAO Raises Funds for Arizona Helping Hands

MCAO employees participated in a fundraising campaign for Arizona Helping Hands this Fall by purchasing casual day passes. The passes allowed staff to dress down one day per week with all proceeds benefitting this truly worthy cause. The campaign ran from September through November. Employees raised $3,865.
 
Arizona Helping Hands supports these foster families providing them with basic essentials such as a new bed and/or crib and bedding, clothes, toiletries, holiday and birthday toys, school supplies, and emergency assistance.
 
To learn more about Arizona Helping Hands, and to donate, visit: AZHelpingHands.org

Working Together to Improve the
Safety of Arizona’s Children

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery stood next to Arizona Department of Child Safety Director Greg McKay in front of local media for a press conference that was only a hopeful dream several years ago.  Coming together almost exactly six years after final recommendations from the Child Safety Taskforce were sent to the Governor’s Office and just a month since the final sentencing in the horrific 2011 child murder case of Ame Deal, these two leaders announced that things are no longer the same.
 
Montgomery addressed the conference first and explained why he wanted to talk to the media and the community. “A couple points of observation, first let’s not forget Ame Deal and the role that she played in helping to encourage significant changes in our child welfare system. Second, we have had significant changes to the child welfare system with real measurable outcomes. We want those who are committed to children in Arizona to also see there is a reason to hope because there has been improvement.”
 
He went on to say that six years ago he would have been stonewalled in his efforts as County Attorney to get information regarding prior child welfare agency contacts with a family. Now, he said the relationship is 180 degrees different.
 
“The bunker culture that once existed is gone, we do not play hide the ball. We have a very transparent and open culture,” said McKay as he went on to share data that showcased the dramatic change in his agency over the past few years.
 
He explained that when the Child Safety Taskforce was first formed, it was normal for someone calling the child abuse hotline to wait for an hour for someone to answer. Now, the average wait is less than 28 seconds. Originally, a third of callers would hang up before reporting abuse. Now, just 2% of callers hang up before the call can be answered and that includes wrong number calls. Joint investigations into abuse involving police and DCS were only occurring in 54% of the cases when McKay took over while that now occurs 95% of the time, reflecting the new reality that law enforcement and child welfare investigators are working together better and more often. Caseloads for DCS investigators were about 150 cases per investigator and now the average case load is about 13-15 case per investigator.
 
However, Montgomery was quick to caution that the press conference was not a “victory lap,” citing how the Office had just indicted a father and step-mother for the murder of their seven year old daughter after what could have been months or possibly years of abuse.
 
“We will continue this work and I’m asking stakeholders to keep holding DCS accountable, to hold Director McKay accountable, to hold me accountable to follow through on our prior commitment. I am here to say that I am committed to continuing to work to improve our child welfare system. For however far we may have come in the last six years, however far we might be today, there is still more that has to be done. I have to acknowledge too, that we will continue to struggle with the evil side of humanity that sees small human beings as objects they can take out rage and frustration on, or simply failing to do the most basic of things that a parent should do for their child.”
 
McKay added “It has been my promise to not allow children to die in vain. My commitment to their memory is to be transparent and continuously improve systems and to never forget about them or their intense suffering.”
 
You can view the entire press conference on the MCAO YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/9mdromqf6fs

Speak Up… Save a Life

How seriously would you take a teenager’s sullen social media post that claims their “life is over?” How about one where they say something happened and now they just “want to die?” What if next time they post a picture of the pills they plan to take or the weapon they plan to use? It’s hard to tell what moment is the right one, when should someone say something or intervene? Now imagine you’re trying to figure out these answers as a teenager.
 
For many us well past our high school years, the school bully was only a threat until you were able to run home and close your front door. We knew once we were home we were safe at least for a few precious hours until next school day. However, for today’s youth, bullies are on social media every hour of the day.  
 
Gina Godbehere has seen devastating scenarios involving teen suicides and murder in her time as Northwest Valley Bureau Chief in the Community Based Prosecution Division of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. She has spent more than 20 years serving as a prosecutor and after learning recently that suicide rates for children and teens in Arizona are on the rise, she felt compelled to do something. She wanted to create some way to help teens not only identify when someone is in a crisis, but empower them to then know what to do with that information.

“I would like nothing more than to spark a movement for kids to reconnect to each other. In too many tragedies involving our kids, there were warning signs on social media, but no action.” said Godbehere. “My greatest hope is that we can inspire youth to care enough to do something and know what to do to help,” she added.

During a project through Leadership West Class 22, Godbehere connected with Pendergast Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Lily Matos DeBlieux and Strategic Business expert, Jennifer Rogers with GCON Inc.  The three women felt that real change for this issue could be achieved for students here locally, but to have a true impact it needed to involve every sector from schools to law enforcement and local leaders.

Godbehere is working to make “Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life” the trademark of a youth conference she and her partners have planned. “I firmly believe this conference is desperately needed in our schools right now and presents an opportunity to help bridge the gap between our local community, the government, and law enforcement in a positive way,” said Godbehere.

The student-led youth conference is planned for January 16, 2018 at Grand Canyon University Arena and will be the largest one of its kind in state, with more than 3,000 students expected to attend from schools around the Valley. Sponsored by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, the conference will not only bring students together, but also police chiefs, government officials, parents and teachers providing them tools to take back to their schools with the goal to inspire each student to “Speak Up, Stand Up and Save A Life.”

Over the Edge

MCAO Veterans Day Parade Entry Wins 1^st Place 

Upcoming Events Calendar

Shred-A-Thon and Prescription Take-Back Event

Saturday, January  13
7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Surprise Police Department

14250 West Statler Plaza
Surprise, AZ 85374

Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life

Tuesday, January  16
7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Grand Canyon University

3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017

Cases of Community Interest