Indian River State College presented Justice Jam! for Criminal Justice students from Fort Pierce Central, Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, St. Lucie West Centennial, and Treasure Coast High Schools. The Career and Technical Education department assisted the Indian River State College Criminal Justice department in getting over 100 students to IRSC for this event. The Justice Jam was unique as the lead hosts were Mr. Dewey (Indian River State College and SLPS Criminal Justice Advisory Board Member) and Captain Milo Thornton (Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, IRSC Board of Directors appointed by Governor DeSantis, IRSC Alumni, Fort Pierce Westwood Alumni) and Mr. Daniel Mittleman (Assistant State Attorney). This event highlighted multiple career tracks within criminal justice for students to learn about and gain contact information with potential employers after high school graduation. There were representatives from the following agencies or organizations present: State Prosecutors office, Corrections, Probation/Parole, Port St. Lucie Police Department, Fort Pierce Police Department, Florida Highway & Patrol, Department of Children & Families, Victim’s Advocates, Be Believed Here, Juvenile Justice Probation, Florida Department of Corrections Probation, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene, Indian River State College (Criminal Justice department and Law Enforcement Academy), and the Public Defender’s Office.
Students were involved in live scenarios and presentations on the various types of crimes from the time of the arrest and moving through the criminal justice system. There was also time for all students to rotate through the community, law enforcement, and criminal justice-related agencies present for employment and career track opportunities available to them in St. Lucie County and on the Treasure Coast.
Thank you to Wawa (Fort Pierce) for sponsoring lunches for all participants.
