KEY CENTER, WA - Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist gave a public safety update to members of the Key Peninsula Lion’s Club at their regularly scheduled meeting.
Prosecutor Lindquist spoke about how the Prosecutor’s Office is keeping our community safe with two innovative office initiatives, and took questions from members.
First, he discussed the High Priority Offender Program (HPO), a new data-driven approach to prosecution.
“We are using data and technology to identify and focus resources on the small percentage of offenders who are committing a large percentage of crimes,” said Lindquist. “We aim to end their criminal careers.”
This crime-fighting initiative began in 2015 after months of preparation and support from all of the county’s 24 law enforcement agencies. Lindquist’s office, the first on the west coast to implement HPO, modeled the successful program on data-driven approaches to prosecution in New York and other east coast cities.
“Our HPO program is already helping us reduce crime,” said Mark Lindquist.
“I’m really happy to see your office has this program going,” said Lion’s Club member George Robison.
Second, Lindquist spoke with club members about the office’s Elder Abuse Unit. Started by Lindquist in 2011, the elder abuse team works to vigorously prosecute offenders and assist the community in preventing elder abuse crimes.
“Our aging family members and friends are among the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Lindquist. “Our office protects vulnerable adults through vigorous prosecution, education, and collaboration with our partners.”
Because of its leadership in the field of elder abuse, Pierce County was awarded $370,985 from the Department of Justice to support a comprehensive approach to addressing elder abuse. The Prosecutor’s Office is teaming up with local law enforcement agencies, victim service organizations, and other stakeholders to increase and strengthen training, form a community response team, and improve access to victim services.
The rest of the discussion concerned a county-wide reduction in burglaries, the need to address opiate abuse, and other public safety issues.
Lion’s Club members are very active in their respective communities. Key Peninsula Lions said they look forward to continued collaboration between their club, the community, and the Prosecutor’s office. The members said they appreciated how the Prosecutor’s Office is helping make our community safer.
The Prosecutor is always happy to speak with local leaders, civic groups, and senior communities, on these and other issues facing our county.
For more information, please contact James Lynch at (253) 798-6265, [email protected].