Real-time crime centers are revolutionizing the way police departments address criminal activity in their community. With innovative technologies and procedures, these centers are becoming widespread across the country. One of the first areas in the United States to have adopted a Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) in their community is Cobb County in Marietta, Georgia. We were very privileged to have Captain Hull organize this tour of their facility and further enlighten the group on the future of policing.
Upon our arrival, we were welcomed by Lieutenant Thorp and Major Bell, who help lead Cobb County’s RTCC in Cobb County’s Police Department. Before entering the room itself, the two took the time to explain to us the importance of centers such as these in regard to protecting their community with speed and efficiency. One way the real-time crime center has revolutionized modern policing, unique to other counties, is through their surveillance technology, which was at work just around the corner.
The dimly-lit crime center was illuminated by 10 screens; displaying a map of the city with pin points of police officer locations, LPRs (License Plate Readers), live video camera footage, and crime alerts. Led by Captain Darin Hull, we viewed a PowerPoint presentation that helped us better understand the functions of their facility. To provide the typical structure of their operations, the presentation provided two examples of their crime center in action, which both lead in the apprehension of the suspects.
The two examples, one involving a home invasion and the other theft, showcased the enhanced police response to crimes, made possible by the RTCC. With live recording and reporting, the police have stronger capabilities to swiftly arrest and convict criminals.
The officers emphasized the various concerns during the early stages of modern policing, including the general public’s fear of privacy invasion. Understanding the citizens’ apprehension, the analysts at the Real Time Crime Center have taken proactive measures to acknowledge the importance of establishing trust within their community; offering informative sessions for those seeking to learn more about the center’s operations and benefits, as well as providing discounts for businesses on purchases of a Fusus Core to integrate their cameras with the RTCC database to provide live transmissions for the officers.
One of the most interesting things about the Real Time Crime Center was their staff. It takes true dedication to use all the technology provided to capture suspects and get them away from the public. Deputy Chief Stuart Vanhoozer mentioned in one of the videos that technology means nothing if the staff does not demonstrate resilience and determination to stop crime. It was pretty evident that the staff there was more than capable, and they demonstrated extreme kindness towards us and welcomed all of our questions with pleasure.
As a Criminal Justice major, it is very important to see another of various career paths one may take in the field. I personally enjoyed experiencing a different aspect of law enforcement outside of the classroom, that itself is emerging in real time.
Thank you again to Captain Darin Hull, Lieutenant David Thorp, Major Stan Bell, and the staff of Cobb County’s Real Time Crime Center for taking the time to educate us on the amazing work your division is doing for modern policing practices.
The Southern Legislative Conference indeed came to an end, but our adventures pressed on! On our way to Atlanta, LEAP Ambassadors took some key stops through South Carolina and Georgia to learn about this region and its historic relevance.
Tour of South Carolina’s Capitol Building
Ingrid Cuero
Before leaving South Carolina altogether, we made sure we stopped in Columbia, the Capital of the state. We approached the capitol grounds to find a full-blown protest occurring–with labor unions objecting the flight of jobs.
This did not stop us from getting some photos of the exterior….
…or from seeing several statues, including Strom Thurmond, who is famously known for conducting the longest filibuster in history: 24 hours and 18 minutes! (He was filibustering to prevent passage of a civil rights bill.)
Passing by South Carolina’s state tree; a lone palmetto on the South end of the structure, we entered the building, which opened to a marvelously decorated interior.
I was immediately taken by the two flags, the U.S. and the South Carolina flag on either side of the entrance.
One of my favorite details of the interior design was the consistent use of the palmetto tree and the state flower, the Yellow Jessamine. It’s all in the details; for example, the lamps and chandeliers emulated the palmetto in their structural composition, and the staircase was engraved with the flower.
John C. Calhoun, another of the State’s notable figures, was commemorated with a statue. Calhoun is the only man to have served as Vice President of the United States for two different presidents. He, like Thurmond, is not much of a figure for modern times, but is a key part of the Palmetto’s State’s history.
We then came across The Battle of Cowpens; one of the first portraits to portray an African American in battle. Painted by William Ranney, the scene depicts a “servant” intervening in battle to save Col. William Washington.
After interning in the Texas Capitol building this past semester, it was very interesting to see the many differences between the TX Capitol and the SC Capitol.
The first, and most obvious difference, is the size. While Texas’ Capitol building is much larger, the interior of South Carolina’s is far more intricate and elegant.
Another key difference is that in South Carolina, both chambers are in session every year, whereas in Texas the legislature convenes every biennium.
Although judges in Texas are elected, in South Carolina judges are selected by the General Assembly.
This was the second state capitol building I had ever been in, so to be able to compare my experiences–especially right after an internship in the TX Capitol–was an insightful opportunity! Meanwhile, we were all able to check off one more capitol out of 50, South Carolina was Michelle’s and Olivia’s favorite Capitol Building of the trip.
On our final day in Charleston, we had a special treat in store: a tour of the Charleston School of Law. One of the advantages of SHSU as a “law-school feeder,” is that we have an active pre-law society, engage in many activities relevant to the law, and we have opportunities to visit and explore law schools.
Charleston School of Law
On this trip, we were set to visit the Charleston School of Law, a visit that included a meeting with the Director of Admissions, visiting with law-school students, and sitting in on a class.
So, while Ingrid and Morgan did various tours of Charles, Olivia, Michelle, and I met with Marisa Banke, who graciously organized our tour, and Michael Banks, Director of Admissions, on the second floor of the building. Mr. Banks covered all bases of our general questions, including an overview of Charleston’s School of Law, its application process, and what they look for in a personal statement and financial aid. We then met with a 2L student and a 3L student, the latter of whom is studying for her Bar exam, to show us around the school.
Although it is quite small, it consists of everything a Law School student might need: a library and plenty of study areas. The tour was unique in that it was Olivia and Michelle’s first law school visit, which allowed them to build a point of reference for potential schools they may be interested in including Charleston School of Law.
The Law School Journey
One important thing to know for pre-law students: most schools follow the same admissions processes. Almost all law schools are going to look at your LSAT score, GPA, personal statements, letters of recommendation, resume, as well as volunteer service and organizations. Of these factors, LSAT and GPA are, by far, the most important.
Different law schools do have somewhat different clinics, programs, or specialties. And law schools have different cultures. A visit allows you to experience those factors that do differ and help to see if you “fit in,” while also experiencing the city in which you might be living.
If you are interested in law school at SHSU, I recommend you meet with either Professor Mike Yawn or Ms. Jean Loveall, enroll in the Pre-Law Society, and take the Mock LSAT as early as possible. Once those things are done, you will have the opportunity to hear more from law school representatives through the Pre-Law Society and, we hope, visit your own preferred law schools!
Savannah, the oldest city in the State of Georgia, is a lively town with a vast and rich history. For our second day in the Deep South, we endeavored to learn more of Savannah’s history, and maybe experience some of it, too!
So, with an assist from Old Town Trolley Tours, we set out to learn more. And did we! For example, did you know that Savannah is where Eli Whitney developed the cotton gin? Or that the second deadliest battle of the Revolutionary War (The Siege of Savannah) occurred here? Or that Savannah was America’s first “planned city”? James Oglethorpe laid out the city in a grid system with 24 original squares but only 22 are still in existence today! There is a statute of Oglethorpe in Chippewa Square that is facing the south towards Florida – his Spanish enemies.
All the statues we saw were facing in the direction of their enemies since one should never give their back to them.
Our first stop was the First African Baptist Church, which is the oldest Black congregation in North America.
The church played an integral role in American history by serving as a part of the Underground Railroad, hiding those who were escaping enslavement. It was also the place where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached his first sermon.
Savannah has been featured in several popular films and in literature. Forrest Gump, Something to Talk About, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and Lady & the Tramp are just a few of the films set in (or filmed in–or both!) Savannah. We were able to drive past and explore the famous locations where some scenes from the blockbuster films were shot, including Chippewa Square, often referred to as Forrest Gump Square since that’s where the scene of Forrest sitting on a bench waiting for the bus was filmed.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist was another highlight of our tour. Savannah once had four prohibitions: slavery, liquor, lawyers, and Catholics. The cathedral’s congregation was reorganized and established in 1796, becoming the first Catholic church in Savannah, consisting primarily of Haitian immigrants.
Although the original structure burned in 1898, the current building beautifully replaces the original while reflecting the long-standing Haitian and French influences on the region.
The trolley was an excellent way to get a glimpse into the beautiful city of Savannah! Exploring cities with a vibrant culture allows us to broaden our sense of the world through a comparison to our individual communities and experiences.
Goose Feathers Café
After a long morning of exploring, we decided to hop off the trolley at the City Market stop to head over to Goose Feathers Cafe. Greeted by the staff’s warm hospitality, we browsed menu options before ordering. Many of their menu items were named after historical streets and city celebrities of Savannah. Therefore, our entrees included the Oglethorpe sandwich, the Barnard Street Club (both the regular and gluten-free options), and the Greek salad.
The food was both delicious and flavorful, showcasing the delicious flavor combinations of the Deep South.
Mercer House
After our great lunch from Goose Feathers Café, we felt refreshed and energized, ready to continue sightseeing!
LEAP trips differ from most other educational field trips. While no class credit is earned for the trip, homework and preparations are expected. We might, for example, research a town, watch a documentary, or read a book. For this trip, we did all three!
Collectively, our favorite read for the trip was John Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. This book details Savannah in the 1980s through the eyes of an outsider (Berendt) who describes the murder trial of Jim Williams. To us today, Williams is something of a celebrity and savior of Savannahian architecture and culture.
To Savannahians in the 1980s, Williams was the proprietor of countless homes and host of infamous Christmas parties. To everyone, he is the subject of arguably the largest controversy in the Low Country.
The Mercer-Williams House faces Monterrey Square in the historic downtown of Savannah and was originally built for the great-grandparents of Johnny Mercer (General Hugh Mercer is Johnny’s famous great-grandparent) in 1860. Williams purchased the home in 1969, and it was almost in complete disrepair. Like the art and antique dealer that he was, Williams completely revamped the house down to hand-mixed, original paint colors, and hand-painted granite designs on the baseboards.
From a young age and under the guidance of his carpenter father, Williams renovated or restored different items. He used the basement of the Mercer-Williams as his workshop to repair the antiques, which he would later sell in the main house. Williams had a unique love for portraits, which was clearly displayed as we ventured around the house. Notable portraitists included Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Hudson, and John James Audubon. My favorite of the Williams collection was the 20 Audubon prints in one of the parlors.
The most impactful portion of the house was the study where Williams shot and killed his employee/lover Danny Hansford. Berendt describes in detail the events that did (or did not, depending on your belief in Williams’ innocence) take place in that room. The room felt heavier as we all knew we were in the room where Hansford threatened Williams with a German Luger, misfired, and seconds later fell to the ground with three new wounds.
Over the course of eight years and four trials, Williams was found not guilty by the Georgia Supreme Court, only to die a few months later at the age of 59, just a few feet from where he killed Danny Hansford.
Our experience in the Mercer Home was further enriched by having read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. With that background knowledge, we were able to associate the beautifully decorated interior with the events that occurred within the walls of the house.
Our tour guide, Max, gave a great overview of the history of the House and its few occupants. Some of the Williams family still take residence in the upper levels of the House, so sadly photography was not allowed. However, we did not let this distract us from our tour, as we visualized the scenes in the book in the rooms before us–and took advantage of much outdoor photography!
Leopold’s Ice Cream
We couldn’t leave Savannah without trying Leopold’s Ice Cream. After almost a full day of walking the historic squares of Savannah, we were due for a cold yet sweet Savannah tradition.
Leopold’s is known for their rich homemade ice cream dating all the way back to 1919. They pride themselves in having the “Best ice cream in Georgia.”
Due to Leopold’s reputation and the ice cream shop’s popularity, we were met with a long line and waiting time. To maximize this time we thought about the flavors we would order, perspired, and waited some more.
After a long debate and thought, I opted for the Butter Pecan and one of Professor Yawn’s favorites, the Peanut Butter Chippy. Olivia decided on the coffee chocolate chip; Ingrid, the vanilla. Jessica had a scoop of Rum Bisque and a scoop of Chocolate Chewies and Cream. Morgan took a different route and opted for a combination of lemon custard and coffee chocolate chip, a weird combination if you ask me. Nonetheless, we were all very pleased with our selections, and a majority of us would agree that this is the best ice cream in Georgia!
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is one of the “Golden Isles” of Georgia, and it is one of the most popular. Interestingly, it is owned by the State of Georgia, and it is governed by its own board of directors, which limit its development. That’s a happy reality for us, because we were visiting to explore some of its more natural elements.
And while we may have been there to see the island’s natural elements, but this did not stop us from driving through the “historic district,” where wealthy individuals such as Frank Henry Goodyear (Goodyear Tires) and William Rockefeller had houses. They were beautiful, and more closely resembled mansions than cottages.
Our main destination, however, was “Driftwood Beach,” which features hundreds of dead trees, victims of beach erosion. At low tide, these trees lie in impossibly intriguing angles across the beach, perfect for climbing, posing, or nature photography. We attempted all three.
Not all of the Ambassadors, we learned, are equally adept at climbing.
Or taking photos.
But, generally, we persevered, got a few notable photographs, and we experienced the beauty of a natural setting in the Georgia Low Country.
With that accomplishment, we traversed the Sidney Lanier Bridge (whose poetry we read prior to traveling, and whose home we stopped by yesterday), and returned to Savannah.
The Wynne Home has been very active this month, hosting many wonderful artists and speakers from the community to raise cultural awareness and highlight some of the wonderful talent we have in town. And this week, the Wynne Home featured Grady Hillman and his 1984 award-winning film “Lions, Parakeets, and Other Prisoners,” depicting the complexities of incarceration through poetry.
Many of our city’s key figures were in attendance; Sarah Faulkner, the Cultural Services Director for the City of Huntsville; Tammy Gann, the Economic Director, City Manager Aron Kulhavy, Dr. Ralph and Mrs. Linda Pease; Dr. Carolina Crimm; Kristie Stevens, a writer for the Huntsville Item; and Cheryl Spencer and Dr. Joe Kirkland.
Professor Mike Yawn started off the night with an astounding anecdote, recounting one of his only memories as a sixth-grader, a bomb threat at his school. The students were moved to a safe location, where a poet was brought in to entertain the 1,600 restless, rowdy, and unruly children during the delay. That poet, hired at the time by Linda Pease, was in fact Grady Hillman! Funnily enough, Hillman could not only recall that day, but he wrote a poem about the entire endeavor– and he happened to have that poem with him! He asked Yawn to recite this poem, and the two of them relived that day more than 40 years ago, adding in commentary as appropriate. As an audience member, I felt very lucky to have witnessed such a moment.
Hillman introduced the critically-acclaimed docu-drama’s background, of course, highlighting the city of Huntsville. The film depicts the Walls, Wynne, and Eastham Units, centered around a poetry class Hillman lead in our local prisons.
Consisting pieces of poetry written and reenacted by Hillman’s students, the film captured the emotions of an incarcerated person’s experience, transcending the class meetings altogether. The title of the film is even a reference to two of poems read during the film in which two animals, lions and parakeets, are assigned to their respective cages. I must admit, my favorite detail within the film was its rhythm, which made both the dialogue and the poetry all the more profound. One of the most special parts of the night was when the credits started rolling, with the audience members seeing the names of longtime friends in the community.
Hillman concluded the night with an informational on his newest book, “Arts in Corrections: Thirty Years of Annotated Publications,” an annotation on the arts and education programs in the prison system, which is on sale at the Wynne Home.
Interestingly, in 2012, Hillman suffered a stroke that left him unable to write, read, and speak. After doing intensive therapies to regain those abilities, he has, he noted, become an editor of his own work. Going over his life’s activities and curating them, and the presentation of “Lions, Parakeets, and Other Prisoners” is part of that process. We were fortunate to be a part of it.
After the event, Hillman was generous enough to sign books. When I went to get my book signed, we had the opportunity to speak about the culture of each individual prison. Having visited 16 prisons from 1981-1984 alone, Hillman noted that his experiences were each unique to the prison. He did note, since he began the writing courses in Huntsville, that within the first year working there he knew most of the problems within the prison, the second year he knew how to solve the problems, and within the third year the problems changed, and he couldn’t even recall the initial problems.
It was truly a pleasure to get a glimpse into the immense experience and talent of Grady Hillman. We were further reminded of just how rich and deep the culture of Huntsville possesses, appreciating just how special of a time we all shared reflecting on it.
As Sine Die 88th Texas Legislative Session comes to close, SHAIP interns began to reflect on the end of their internships. Interns from Sam Houston State University have enjoyed the past five months in Austin working for legislators around the state. To commemorate their great work, SHAIP students were recognized on the House of Representatives and Senate floors by the Texas Legislature.
There was a bit of waiting around at the beginning…
…as the House appeared slow to rouse. But this gave us time for important conversations and work…
Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez began the proceedings by introducing the House Resolution highlighting SHSU students’ “outstanding service to the Texas Legislature during this 88th legislative session.”
On a personal note, Rep. Martinez highlighted SHSU student Jayelynn Bordeaux as the intern working in his office.
The other representatives that attended were able to thank their interns personally as well. Rep. Will Metcalf took the opportunity to thank Yvette Mendoza for her hard work and following his support, offered an exultant “Go Bearkats.” (He is an SHSU alum!) Rep. Rafael Anchia…
…thanked Amor Sheffield and expressed how “proud [he is] of her service to our office and the state of Texas” while also noting how excited he was for her bright future.
Rep. Martinez finished the resolution by bringing to attention the work that Ashlyn Parker and Morgan Dawson are doing for Rep. J.M. Lozano and Rep. Senfronia Thompson, respectively.
With all the students enjoying some recognition in the end.
Afterward, students hustled to the Senate Gallery, where Senator Schwertner and Senator Hughes presented a resolution to recognize the Sam Houston Austin Internship Program.
Sen. Schwertner began the resolution by providing background on the SHAIP program and stating that “[e]ach of these students should be commended for their hard work and service to the State of Texas.”
He informed the Senate that three of the nine students had been working in Senator’s offices, five have been working in the House, and one student, Breanna Demyers, has been working for the Texas Association of Counties. Jesicca Cuevas and Morgan Robertson were highlighted by the Senator, as they have been working in his office during the session.
Sen. Schwertner emphasized their hard work and professionalism, thanking them profusely.
Senator Hughes then took the floor to extol the virtues of Ingrid Cuero. After noting that Ingrid was his “first SHSU intern,” he emphatically noted, “We want more!” He praised her for her kindness, work-ethic, and smile.
This summer, Ingrid will be continuing her education in politics working with US Congressman Sessions.
The recognition process can be lengthy, and it cuts into the work that the legislators can do, so we are very grateful to the House and Senate for taking time to recognize the hard work of SHSU students and the merits of the SHAIP Program.
We are also very grateful for our students, who are putting late hours for 140 days, about six weeks longer than a regular semester!
The LEAP Center would like to thank Scott Jenkines, Chief of Staff for Armando “Mando” Martinez. Mr. Jenkines has been a great mentor to dozens of interns, and he has helped place SHSU interns since the program’s inception.
LEAP students enjoyed another amazing World Affairs Council event, this one featuring author and journalist: Ioan Grillo. During this event, SHSU students and alumni had the opportunity to learn about Grillo and his most recent book titled “Blood, Gun, Money”.
Specializing in crime and drug cartels in Mexico, Grillo delivered an informative and thought-provoking run-down of the drug war the United States is currently battling.
After a brief introduction by Jahan Jafarpour…
…Ioan Grillo and moderator Ronan O’Malley took the stage. The conversation began with a striking question about the fentanyl crisis and its effect on Americans. Grillo explained how fentanyl is one of the deadliest synthetic drugs on the market, and how its potency can be fatal at minuscule doses. Due to its cheap production costs and easy transportation across the border, fentanyl has become extremely accessible and profitable.
Grillo went on to explain how America is experiencing a revolution of illegal drugs that’s killing thousands of people. He compares the current drug revolution to the crack epidemic that took place in the late 1980’s. According to Grillo’s data, the number of current overdoses on Fentanyl is 21 times higher than the number of overdoses on record for 1988, the peak of the crack epidemic. He then discussed the multi-faceted conditions that allow such a crisis, such as corruption in Mexican officials and the strong presence of organized crime.
Ioan Grillo spent much of time discussing the Mexican cartel and its impact on civilians and the United States. A concerning point in this discussion was the amount of heavy weaponry transported to Mexico from the United States. According to Grillo, many gun traffickers have easy access to weapons here in the United States, which they purchase without a paper trail. Due to the violence and cartel wars that have erupted, the journalist mentioned the possibility of naming the different Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. However, many issues could arise, one of which is the justification of asylum on the border. He concluded by assuring us that the war on drugs and violence is just now beginning, and that the only way to stop this war is government involvement and strict policies.
The conversation then moved on to a Q&A session, where many interesting topics were discussed. Olivia, a fellow LEAP Ambassador, asked a question about the media’s role in raising awareness of drug crises.
We each then had the pleasure to speak to Ioan Grillo after the event and get our books signed…
…as well as learn a little more about his approach to reaching a resolution to end this drug epidemic we are witnessing.
To fit the theme of tonight’s event and the region primarily discussed, we headed to Ninfa’s; a restaurant specializing in Mexican cuisine. We all enjoyed traditional Mexican dishes, including tacos al pastor, mole, and enchiladas de carnitas. Everyone was extremely satisfied with their dishes and enjoyed their flavorful entrees.
This was a great opportunity to get to know SHSU alumni (Victoria McClendon-Leggett and Bianca Saldierna), meet with new students who haven’t done many LEAP events, as well as learn more about the pressing issues affecting our country’s health.
For the last meeting of the 22-23 school year, the Pre-Law Society members had a lot of fun in-store. We put our knowledge and luck to the test and showed our true competitive sides. This week we held a crossword competition regarding our law history and vocabulary. Whoever won would receive $250 scholarships!
The air was tense as we rushed to see who would complete the puzzle first. Questions included: Who is the current Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court? What is a first-year law student called? Which test is required to get into law school?
We all laughed as we guessed on how to spell certain words, and picked our brains for answers. Caleb Carrig, Rylee Smith, Jessica Hernandez, and Natalie Bradford prevailed and each won a scholarship. The puzzle was fun, but showed that we all have a lot left to learn! We should also probably practice our spelling. We even held a drawing for the members for another chance to win another scholarship. Chistina Biello and Cinthia Villarreal won, how lucky!
As it was the last meeting of the 22-23 year, we had to bid our seniors goodbye. Five of our members, Jacelin Daniel, Jessica Hernandez, Daniela Hernandez and Jesus Ayala received their chords to wear with pride as they walk the stage to graduation. We wish them all well as they move forward on their law school path.
As a final note, we also created a planning committee for the fall, when we hope to have a major speaker come in, as well as an attorney, law-school deans, and an activity of our own!
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 