Lincoln Electric’s world headquarters campus has never been safer than it was on Sept. 21 when 30 law enforcement agencies from around Northeast Ohio came together for Euclid’s first Crime Prevention Mini Conference. The conference, sprawling inside and outside of the Lincoln Electric Welding Technology and Training Center, 22800 St. Clair Ave., had several departments show up to give the public a chance to meet them and for everyone to learn more about their community at the same time. The Cleveland Mounted Police Unit was there with its very popular horses, as was the BCI Crime Lab vehicle, EDGE and SWAT armored vehicle and ODOT plow truck. Carhop’s Diner Dogs food truck was also there with people lined up waiting for lunch. EDGE SWAT Team vehicles are seen outside a NEO Police Crime Prevention event. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) South Euclid Police Public Information Officer Joe Di Lillo said that anytime his department, and the police in general, can meet with people outside in the community he is ready to be there. “Anytime we can be involved in community engagement, we are all for that, getting out in the community, meeting residents that are in our jurisdiction or near our jurisdiction,” he said. “Communicating with officers in various agencies and learning the ways they police which might be different from us can (teach us new techniques). “We hear the community’s concerns or suggestions (so) these events are as important as any event we might have, or that’s put out. They are very, very, important.” Dogs representing the many waiting to be adopted at Euclid’s D. Fay Miller Animal Shelter prance around the NEO Police Crime Mini Conference. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) He said that officers also gain something from these public events, and that, because crimes can occur across different cities, it’s always helpful to know the officers in the surrounding areas. “While we’re here we do border the city of Richmond Heights, whose table is next to us, we have the Willoughby table over there,” Di Lillo said, pointing at the different departments settled inside the glassed-in area. “We recently had a case where individuals in our city fled to Willoughby in a stolen car. We were able to assist Willoughby in identifying those individuals involved because they were from our city, so it’s important to have that communication with various agencies and officers.” MaryAnn Zaky, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office, speaks during an information session at the NEO Police Crime Prevention Mini Conference. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) MaryAnn Zaky, assistant prosecutor for Cuyahoga County, said that she was there to make the public more aware of what her agency does. She said that many people might not be familiar with the process of how charges are brought against a defendant, unless they are either a defendant themselves or a victim of a crime. “We are just here to engage with the community,” Zaky said. “We wanted to show that we are here to work with everybody and to keep the streets safe on our end, at least in the courtroom. “It’s a long process, it has many twists and turns, but it is actually very simple,” she added. “There is the arrangement where the person is first told what their charges are, they go through a pretrial process, and that is sort of the negotiation and evidence review stage. And then ultimately, the case is going to resolve in one of two ways, and it’s going to be either the plea, the trial, and then there is sentencing. In between all of that there are a lot of nuances, and there are a lot of rights that a person has.” Cleveland Heights Police Officer Chris McHugh pilots a drone around the outside of a NEO Police Crime Prevention event. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) Cleveland Heights Police Officer Chris McHugh, prepares a demonstration of a drone, commonly used by police departments in SWAT situations. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) She said if someone missed her presentation, she would want them to know about their rights as victims. She said that Marsy’s Law, which was passed into law in 2017, would be something everyone needs to know. “Marsy’s Law, essentially, ensures victims are properly notified throughout the entire stage, from investigation on to case resolution,” Zaky said. “And they also have a right to be heard. And at its core, that is what Marsy’s Law does.” People visit different information booths at the NEO Police Mini Crime Conference. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) Kate McLaughlin, Policing and Crime Analysis officer with the Euclid Police Department, who organized the event, said that the turnout was good and that she would consider having a similar program in the future. “That would be a great idea,” McLaughlin said when asked if she planned on holding the event next year. “… Maybe even finding another community that would want to host it, so it gets to move around. “Why I think it was so important to have all these agencies from Northeast Ohio, is not only do they work together, but if you live in this area you travel to different cities to do your shopping, to visit family, so it is regional when you are talking about feeling safe and being safe in different communities. A member of the crime scene investigations unit shows different gear he uses in the field. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) “Local police departments are an excellent resource for their community,” McLaughlin said. “You would be surprised at how much officers are willing to let you know and educate you if you have a question. So, any event they are doing, Touch-a-Truck, Coffee with a Cop, or if you just see a police officer out and about, engage with them. Because that’s when you will get this information, and things to learn, and build those relationships.” Officers stand around and chat on a vintage police vehicle. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) Those who missed the conference can join the Euclid Police Department at Collision Bend Brewing Company, 1261 Babbitt Road, Sept. 24. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. they will be holding Railroad Safety Awareness information sessions as part of Operation Lifesaver. An officer with the Cleveland Metroparks Police Department inspects one of Lincoln Electric’s displays. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.)