Office of Community Safety

Community Safety Innovations Symposium:

Elevating Coordinated Response Efforts

 

The Office of Community Safety (OCS) is pleased to announce the Community Safety Innovations Symposium: Elevating Coordinated Response Efforts on June 13, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Potomac Science Center at George Mason University. 

This regional event is designed to bring together public safety professionals, policymakers, researchers and community leaders from across Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. Through a full day of expert panels, interactive discussions and networking opportunities, attendees will explore emerging strategies, technologies and collaborative models that strengthen community safety, enhance emergency response and improve violence intervention efforts. The Symposium highlights Domestic Violence: Fatality review insights and best practices in intervention, Fire and Emergency Services: Leveraging GIS data to improve coordinated response, Human Trafficking: Multidisciplinary team approaches and recent legislative advancements, Innovations in Policing: Forensic science enhancements in criminal investigations, Cross-Agency Collaboration: Transformative information-sharing platforms, Gang Intervention: Community-based models that have successfully reduced violence.

In addition to traditional panel discussions, the symposium will also feature a trauma-informed wellness session, providing participants with an opportunity to learn tools for stress management, resilience, and self-care in high-pressure public safety and crisis response roles.   

This symposium is ideal for law enforcement, fire/EMS, and public safety communications professionals, public health and emergency management stakeholders, prosecutors, judges, and criminal justice personnel, community violence intervention specialists, social service providers, non-profits, and advocacy organizations, and researchers, data analysts, and technology experts. 

 

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Panel A: Human Trafficking: Multidisciplinary team approaches and recent legislative advancements  

This panel explores how multi-agency collaboration is reshaping efforts to combat human trafficking through a more unified and trauma-informed lens. Panelists will highlight the importance of building trust with survivors, adopting victim-centered strategies, and improving data-sharing across jurisdictions. Discussions will also touch on recent legislative efforts and emerging regional partnerships that aim to strengthen prevention and prosecution efforts. Attendees will hear from leaders across the spectrum of care and justice—including the Director of Human Trafficking Services at Safe Harbor, the Superintendent of Loudoun County Youth Services Center, and the Co-Founder and Therapist at Trauma and Hope—each bringing a unique perspective on how coordinated teams can drive meaningful impact in the fight against trafficking. 

Panelists:  

  1. Alexandria Wall, Director of Human Trafficking Services, Safe Harbor 

  1. Michelle Smith, Superintendent, Loudoun County Youth Services Center 

  1. Deepa Patel, Co-Founder and Therapist, Trauma and Hope 

  1. Tiffany DiBenedetto and Jamala Williams, Trafficking Prevention Specialists, Prince William County Public Schools  

  1. Detective Abigale McLaughlin, Prince William County Police Department, Special Victims Bureau, NOVA/DC ICAC Task Force  

  

Time:   9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

Room: Conference Room 3102 

 

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Panel B: Fire and Emergency Services: GIS Data and Coordinated Response

This session explores how innovations across multiple organizations are transforming decision-making within fire and emergency services. From community-based care initiatives to advanced data integration and cutting-edge Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, agencies are finding smarter ways to respond to emergencies. By combining real-time data with mapped critical infrastructure and hazard zones, fire and EMS professionals can act faster and more strategically—before, during, and after an incident. Panelists include experts in EMS operations, community coordinated care, fire department leadership, Data integration product and development as well as geospatial analytics.  Attendees will gain insight into how these tools are improving response times, identifying vulnerable communities, and enhancing coordination during high-risk, multi-agency events.

Panelists:

  1. Debbie Galligan, Director of Product and Development, First Watch Solutions
  2. Joshua Parish, Assistant Chief Joshua Parish, Milwaukee Fire Department
  3. Environmental Systems Research Institute
  4. Amal Hajjami, Senior Public Safety Analyst, Criminal Justice Services

 

Time:   9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Room: Lecture Hall

 

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Discussion: Innovations in Policing: New Strategies Advancing Community Safety

This forward-looking panel highlights how emerging technologies, and scientific breakthroughs transform modern policing and public safety. From forensic anthropology to the surprising use of environmental science—like honeybees detecting human remains—attendees will get a firsthand look at how creative, evidence-based practices are advancing investigations and reshaping crime-solving strategies. Experts from George Mason University’s Forensic Science Program, local police departments, and community-based violence intervention programs will share real-world case studies and discuss how research, field application, and innovation are coming together to build safer communities. This session also spotlights the role of GMU’s Body Farm in training and research, offering a rare glimpse into cutting-edge forensic science in action. 

Speaker:

  1. Mary Ellen O’Toole, Program Director, George Mason University Forensic Department  

 

Time:   10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. 

Room: Lecture Hall

 

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Trauma Informed Wellness Session: A

Trauma-informed wellness session, providing participants with an opportunity to learn tools for stress management, resilience and self-care in high-pressure public safety and crisis response roles.  

  • Chair yoga, guided meditation, or stress management techniques 

 

Time:   12:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. 

Room: Classroom 3102 

 

Submit a question for this panel

Trauma Informed Wellness Session: B

Trauma-informed wellness session, providing participants with an opportunity to learn tools for stress management, resilience and self-care in high-pressure public safety and crisis response roles.  

  • Sound Bath & Meditation

 

Time:   12:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. 

Room: Conference Room 

 

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Panel A: Gang Response and Community Violence Intervention 

This panel explores effective strategies and multidisciplinary approaches to address gang activity and reduce community violence. Experts from law enforcement, public health, community-based organizations, and education will discuss evidence-based intervention models, prevention strategies, and real-world successes in disrupting cycles of violence. The panel will highlight the importance of collaboration, youth engagement, trauma-informed practices, and culturally relevant responses in fostering safer, more resilient communities.

Panelists:

  1. GRIT Network, Robert “Tito” Vilchez, Arlington County  

  1. Kate Reen, Northern Virginia Family Services (non-profit)  

  1. Roberto Gomez, Cornerstone Craftsman (non-profit)  

  1. Deepa Patel, Trauma and Hope (private)  

 

Time:   1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

Room: Classroom 3102 

 

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Panel B: Strengthening Cross-Agency Collaboration

This session explores how cross-agency data-sharing is unlocking more coordinated, effective responses to community safety and public health challenges. Panelists will examine the growing role of platforms like Julota and the importance of well-structured memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in facilitating secure, ethical, and legally compliant information exchange. From emergency response to behavioral health interventions, attendees will learn how jurisdictions are breaking down silos and using shared data to better serve vulnerable populations, improve outcomes, and streamline operations. Speakers will also share real-world insights into navigating privacy laws, building trust across sectors, and sustaining long-term collaboration.

Panel:  

  1. Diane Anderson, DrPH, MPH, Prince William Health District (Community Healthcare Coalition of Greater Prince William) 

  1. Heather Baxter, PWC Behavioral Health Manager, Emergency Services 

  2. Heather Martinsen, Wellness and Prevention Manage

  3. TJ Rodriguez, Community Vitality Officer | Community Services Unit  

  4. Sarah Henry, Director of Outreach and Partnerships  

 

Time:   1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

Room: Lecture Hall 

 

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Panel A: Domestic Violence and Fatality Review – Building a Coordinated Response

This session brings together leaders in coordinated response teams, public policy, and leading initiatives to explore how multidisciplinary teams can respond more effectively to domestic violence. Panelists will discuss the evolution and impact of fatality review teams, how jurisdictions are using risk mapping to identify and intervene in high-risk situations, and the role of data in shaping prevention efforts. The panelists highlight innovative strategies being implemented in Northern Virginia and across the nation to improve legal responses, strengthen family protections, and foster cross-agency collaboration. Attendees will gain insight from professionals representing Fairfax County, the Center for Effective Public Policy, and the Arizona State University Family Violence Center offering a unique lens on coordinated community response.

Panel:  

  1. Stacy Ziebell, Program Manager, Prevention, Education & Coordination, Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Fairfax County

  2. Keilah Joyner- Program Associate at Center for Effective Public Policy

  3. Mark Perkovich, Associate Director, Family Violence Center, ASU 

 

Time:   2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. 

Room: Classroom 3102

 

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Panel B: Public Safety Communications: Coordinated Response

Effective emergency response begins with strong communication and the people behind the headsets and radios. This panel highlights the latest innovations in public safety communications, focusing on how 911 centers and first responder agencies are adapting to workforce challenges and community expectations. With perspectives from seasoned professionals in emergency communications, attendees will gain valuable insight into how agencies are evolving to meet today’s demands while preparing for the next generation of public safety technology and talent.

Panel:  

  1. Tracy Zingg, Public Safety Communications, Assistant Director

  1. PWC Police Co-Responder Unit

  1. PWC Behavioral Health Clinician   

  

Time:   2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. 

Room: Lecture Hall 

 

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