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Violence Prevention Seminar Coming to AV

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Contributed by: John Mlynar on 10/3/2008

The Cities of Palmdale and Lancaster in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) are joining forces to present a seminar titled "Violence is Preventable" on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at the Palmdale Playhouse. The Playhouse is located at 38334 10th St. East in Palmdale. The seminar is free and open to the public.

"This important seminar will address the warning signs to violence, the importance of sharing information, and your role in preventing violence," said Palmdale's Community Safety Supervisor Kelly Long. "The Cities of Palmdale and Lancaster are working closely with our Sheriff's department to address, confront and come up with workable solutions to eliminate violence in our community."

The seminar will be presented by LASD Lieutenant Bob Jonsen, a member of the Department for the past twenty-two years and who currently oversees the Antelope Valley Crime Fighting Initiative. In an effort to reduce school and juvenile violence, Lieutenant Jonsen began working closely with the Los Angeles County Office of Education's "Safe School Center."

"I truly believe that violence is preventable when people have strong attachments in their life," said Jonsen. "These critical attachments can be built from any meaningful interaction a person may come across, whether at home, in school, or within their community. The key is awareness and ensuring mechanisms are in place when a core attachment is broken. This presentation will address how all of us can contribute to reducing violence and making our communities a safer place," he said.

Since 1998, Lieutenant Jonsen has been making presentations on school and juvenile violence throughout the United States. Lieutenant Jonsen was involved in the development and presentation of the 1999 POST Youth Violence telecourse, the Los Angeles County Office of Education's Youth Weapons Prevention and Intervention Pilot Program, and the national First Responder training offered through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. In October 2000, he received the "Outstanding Young Californian" award for his work in this area.

"The City of Palmdale is proud to host a seminar as important as this one is to our community," said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford. "All residents of the Antelope Valley benefit when we get together to identify and discuss the root causes of violence and come up with lasting solutions for this problem."

"Violence will not be an accepted element in our community," said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. "Through such proactive efforts as this seminar, leaders in the Antelope Valley will educate the community and confront youth violence; creating viable solutions to this disturbing epidemic. Effectively identifying the problem, putting together resources and a plan of action will ensure that peace prevails in our Valley."

"This seminar is important for the community, especially parents and educators, to learn what key elements or 'signs' to look for when dealing with youth who may have the potential or thought to commit violence," said Lancaster's Crime Prevention Officer Shelli Henson.

"Lieutenant Jonsen integrates his experience with gang related violence and lessons learned from major school related incidents such as at Santana High, Granite Hills High, and Virginia Tech, to stress how violence can be prevented through awareness, intervention, and most importantly parental and community involvement," said Long.

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