Published by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, this report discusses adopting a “zero-trust” model as a means of cyber architecture where “no actor, system, network, or service operating outside or within the security perimeter is trusted.  Instead, we must verify anything and everything attempting to establish access.” The strategy emphasizes achieving a zero-trust model by aligning its goals with the five pillars developed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Hosted by the Justice Clearinghouse, this webinar discusses how communities across the nation are participating in an unprecedented effort to transform mental health emergency response.  A key component of that transformation is the integration of 988. Two years ago, the FCC adopted rules to establish 988 as the new, nationwide, easy-to-remember three-digit phone number for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. 988 is slated to go live in July 2022. This webinar is intended to help communities navigate this new opportunity by discussing:

• New federal, state, and local funding opportunities to integrate and support crisis response.
• Potential opportunities and pitfalls faced by communities as they attempt to integrate new mental health emergency response options.
• Tips for navigating concerns around integrating behavioral health and law enforcement cultures
• Strengths and weaknesses of some of the most commonly cited new crisis response options.

When: February 10, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m., ET

Published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), this article discusses a recent landmark federal hate crime conviction.  Working with the FBI and the Santa Cruz Police Department, the Northern District of California prosecuted its first case under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. 

Published by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), these new materials offer resources 
to support children and youth during their involvement with the justice system as victims or witnesses to a crime.  To commemorate National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, OVC is pleased to announce an update to these materials with the release of a set of graphic novels focused on young trafficking survivors’ experiences, plus an accompanying booklet that focuses on rights, roles, and responsibilities within the justice system.  Guides for Practitioners and Caregivers provide information on how to use the materials.

Published by the Council of Criminal Justice (CCJ), this report discusses updates on criminal activity throughout 2021.  In this year-end update, 27 American cities are examined for criminal activity involving violent crimes, property, and drug offenses. Key findings include the following:

• The 2020–2021 rate of homicide increased by 5 percent.
• 2021 aggravated and gun assault rates increased by 4 percent and 8 percent, respectively (based on a subset of just 12 cities).
• Domestic violence incidents in 11 cities increased by almost 4 percent.
• There was a 14 percent increase in motor vehicle thefts in 2021.