Will Jones, Pulaski County Prosecutor, battles a staggering case backlog while seeking justice for families. Heath Helton, Little Rock Police Chief, shares hopeful crime statistics and emphasizes community involvement to tackle gun violence. Kimberly Key-Bell from the Division of Youth Services discusses the troubling effects of COVID-19 on youth mental health and education, calling attention to 'ghost kids.' Casey Beard introduces the Group Violence Intervention strategy, focusing on proactive measures to support individuals fueling violence and advocating for community collaboration.
26:25
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Crime Down But Gun Violence Persists
Little Rock's overall crime is down but gun violence remains a stubborn problem concentrated among youth.
Chief Heath Helton says reducing homicides requires both enforcement and cross-sector partnerships.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Partner To Improve Public Safety
Build and maintain strong partnerships between police, community groups, and neighborhood associations.
Chief Helton urges community engagement because public safety is everyone's responsibility.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Prosecutor Faces Large Homicide Backlog
Prosecutor Will Jones inherited over 250 open homicide cases due to COVID-era backlogs and court slowdowns.
His office reduced that backlog to 159 while also filing new cases and supporting victims' families.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Gun violence is devastating Pulaski County families and weakening community bonds. But what if there were proven strategies to interrupt this cycle of violence before more lives are shattered?
This episode captures the first of three public meetings where local leaders come together to confront this challenge head-on. Little Rock Police Chief Heath Helton shares encouraging statistics about crime while acknowledging the persistent problem of gun violence, particularly among young people. His message is clear: public safety requires everyone's participation, not just law enforcement's.
County Prosecutor Will Jones reveals the staggering backlog his office inherited and how they're working to deliver justice to waiting families. His colleague Casey Beard introduces the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) strategy, which targets the small number of individuals driving most of the violence, offering support and alternatives before tragedy strikes.
From the Division of Youth Services, Kimberly Key-Bell addresses the profound impact of COVID-19 on youth mental health and educational engagement. She paints a sobering picture: "ghost kids" who disappeared from school during the pandemic and the $120,000 annual cost to house a single youth in the juvenile justice system.
Throughout the discussion, a powerful consensus emerges: violence prevention requires coordinated action across sectors. From credible messengers with lived experience to mental health services, from educational support to community mentorship—each piece forms part of a comprehensive solution.
If you care about community safety, youth development, or evidence-based approaches to complex social problems, this episode offers both hope and practical pathways forward. Join the conversation and discover how you can be part of the solution.
Smart Justice