​PALM BEACH COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION​


FULL COMMISSION MEETING

CareerSource, 3400 Belvedere Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406

 

Monday, January 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM

 

MEETING MINUTES

 

 

 

Members Present:

Alexcia Cox, State Attorney, 15th Judicial Circuit

Antonio Araujo, Chief, West Palm Beach Police Department

Cesar Daniel Arbolaez, Pastor, Passion Church

Colonel Talal Masri for Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County Sheriff, PBSO

Daniel Eisinger, Public Defender, 15th Judicial Circuit

Erica Whitfield, PBC School District

Glenn Kelley, Chief Judge, 15th Judicial Circuit

Gregory Starling, Chief Probation Officer, Circuit 15, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

Jessica Bober-Rosenthal, Assistant County Attorney, Palm Beach County

Jorge Garrido, CJC Treasurer

Karen Hansen, CJC Secretary

Kathleen Kroll, Administrative Judge, Juvenile Division

Lawrence Gordon, Palm Beach County League of Cities

Michael Coleman, President, Palm Beach County Association of Chiefs of Police

Michelle Suskauer, CJC Chair

Mike Caruso, Clerk of the PBC Circuit Court & Comptroller

Nellie L. King, Attorney, the Law Offices of Nellie L. King, P.A.

Oswald Newbold, Reentry Coordinator, the Reentry Center of Riviera Beach

Shania Grant, Student, Florida Atlantic University

Vanessa Klein, Director of Reentry Services, The Lord's Place

 

Members Absent:

Anthony LaCosta, Assistant United States Attorney, Southern District of Florida

Darcy Davis, Chief Executive Officer, HealthCare District

Demetrios Thomas, Special Agent Supervisor at Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Derek Gibson, Circuit Administrator, Florida Department of Corrections

Jervonte Edmonds, Florida State Representative, District 88 and PBC Legislative Delegate

Joel G. Flores, Palm Beach County Commissioner, District 3

Julia Dattolo, President/CEO, CareerSource PBC

Leontyne Brown, d.b.a Leontyne Brown

Maria S. Antuña, CJC Vice Chair

 

Guests Present:

Arlene Griffiths, Palm Beach County Public Safety Department

Edward Rufus, Florida Department of Corrections

Jessica Hidalgo, Reentry Services, Palm Beach County Public Safety Department

Dr. Rachel Docekal, Chief Executive Officer, Hanley Foundation, and Past CJC Chair (ex-officio)

Stephanie Sejnoha, Director, Palm Beach County Public Safety Department

 

CJC Staff Present:

Angelique J. Pickett, Executive Director

Christopher Slydell, Criminal Justice Analyst

Dawn Caveness-Davenport, Senior Criminal Justice Analyst

Katherine Hatos, Criminal Justice Systems Manager

Margo Smith, Administrative Assistant III

Stephanie Molière, Senior Criminal Justice Analyst

 

I.            Call to Order

·         Chair Michelle Suskauer called the meeting to order.

 

II.            Roll Call

·         Executive Director Angelique Pickett completed roll call of the members and determined there was quorum.

 

III.            Approval and/or corrections to the Agenda

·         Erica Whitfield made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Jorge Garrido and passed unanimously.

 

IV.            Approval and/or Corrections to the December 8, 2025 Meeting Minutes

·         Erica Whitfield made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Jorge Garrido and passed unanimously.

 

V.            Chair Comments

A.    Jorge Garrido was sworn in as CJC Treasurer by Honorable Chief Judge Kelley

 

B.    The Committee welcomed new CJC member, Chief Michael Coleman of the Riviera Beach Police Department. Chief Coleman is also serving on the CJC Executive Committee, has been elected as the 2026 President of the Palm Beach County Association of Chiefs of Police and is serving as the Chair of the CJC Law Enforcement Planning Council

 

C.     Chair Michelle Suskauer welcomed Chief Darrell Hunter, Delray Beach Police Department.  Chief Hunter presented the work that has been done in the Delray Beach Police Department Community Outreach Program. 

 

Chief Hunter also shared an initiative the department has implemented a "Run with the Chief" program, held monthly on the third Saturday, where community members can run or walk one mile with police officers and new recruits from the Palm Beach County State Academy. This initiative emerged from community feedback that residents didn't know their officers. Another program that was implemented was "Slurpee with the Cop," which was developed by Officers Lowry and Damien Fer, partnering with 7-Eleven stores and local schools to provide vouchers for students to meet with officers after school. The chief emphasized building intentional partnerships throughout the community and maintaining open dialogue with residents.

 

Ariana Ciancio, the Service Population Advocate Manager, discussed the police department's outreach team that addresses mental health, homelessness, and substance abuse issues.  She stated that since inception, the Community Outreach team has contacted or received referrals for 3,450 individuals and provided resources to approximately 3,300 of them. The program has shown significant impact - overdoses dropped from 500-600 annually in 2016-2017 to 79 in the most recent year, with 18 fatal cases.

 

           

D.    National Human Trafficking Prevention Month presentation

Dr. Heidi Schaeffer presented the National Human Trafficking Prevention to the CJC members and guests.  Dr. Schafer presented data showing Florida ranks third nationally in human trafficking calls to the hotline, with Palm Beach County ranking third in the state and Broward County first.

The Palm Beach Human Trafficking Task Force has 10 dedicated officers and has had 88 active investigations, 43 arrests, and assisted 55 victims in 2022.

 

E.     CJC Chair Attendance: Probation Advisory Board, Behavioral Health Task Force, Palm Beach County Association of Chiefs of Police, 4th Annual Palm Beach County Threat Management Conference.

Chair Suskauer shared that she has been attending several task force meetings to have a clear understanding of the work that is being done.  Chair Suskauer has also been meeting with the Chairs and members to see what the taskforces are working on to provide support and to determine how the board can be a resource for them if needed.

F.     Chair Suskauer advised members and guests to review the CJC 35-Year Historical Snapshot included in the packet of all the great work the CJC has done over the years.

VI.            Executive Director Updates

A.    Executive Director Pickett reminded the members and guests of the upcoming 2026 CJC Annual Planning Meeting on Monday February 23, 2026, from 9:00am to 3:00pm.  She advised that breakfast will be provided if you arrive at 8:30am.

B.    Update: 2026 Judge Mounts Annual Prison Tour Participants
The attendees this year will be Mike Williams with Support Services of PBC School District and Jamie Lee Bradshaw, President of Amplifying Impact for communities in WPB.

C.     CJC Staff Changes – new position “Criminal Justice Data Analyst"
Executive Director Pickett discussed the recent staff changes in the Criminal Justice Commission. A new position was created for the data portion as one of their criminal justice analyst positions has been reclassified as a criminal justice data analyst.  She asked the members and guests for patience through this transition as she has two vacancies and is two positions down. The staff count went from ten to eight to six.  Therefore, they will be implementing new data tools once the positions are filled.

VII.            Old Business

A.    Updates to December 8, 2025, Action Items

Executive Director Pickett provided updates on the December 8, 2025 action items.  She advised that there are hard copies on the table in follow up for the homeless assistance app that Dr. Green mentioned in his presentation at the last meeting.  She thanked the members and guests for their participation in the annual planning meeting survey, as there were 23 responses. 

 

VIII.            New Business

A.    CJC Bylaws Committee: 2023 CJC Ordinance & 2025 CJC Bylaws Revisions

Chair Suskauer reviewed the CJC Ordinance and Bylaws revisions with the members. She advised that they only need a motion as this was previously approved by the Bylaws committee.  The members were all in favor of the revisions.  The Bylaws will not need to go before the BCC to be approved, but the Ordinance revisions will.

a.       Ordinance Revisions

                                                  i.      Page 1, Line 29: Update language for consistency

                                                ii.      Page 2, Line 16: Update language for consistency

                                              iii.      Page 2, Line 20: Seat 16 reassignment to Palm Beach County Association of Chiefs of Police

b.      Bylaws Revisions

                                                  i.      Article I, Section 5: Meeting Attendance for Private Sector Members

                                                ii.      Article I, Section 10 – 10.A.16: Public Sector Membership, Seat 16

                                              iii.      Article I, Section 11 – 11.B.6: Public Safety Coordinating Council

                                               iv.      Article I, Section 11 – 11.B.7: Racial Equity Task Force

                                                 v.      Article II, Section 2 – Executive Committee Members

 

IX.            Discussion Items/Updates

A.     Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission: Department/Office vs Division

Under the Public Safety Department – BCC meetings 1/6/2026 & 2/3/2026

The members discussed the upcoming February 3rd County Commission vote to move the Criminal Justice Commission from an office to a division under the Public Safety Department.

            Stephanie Sejnoha advised that on February 3rd, the CJC will officially be moving and under Public Safety and the administrative code will be changed. She advised that there has been multiple changes in the county.

 

Several commission members expressed concerns about the speed of this change and potential conflicts with the commission's autonomy, requesting more detailed information about the rationale and implications.  The members were advised to email their questions and concerns to the Chair and Executive Director prior to the 2/3/2026 BCC meeting so they may have them answered or addressed before the meeting.

B.    Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission Member Report Outs

The Chief Judge Glenn Kelley reported on courthouse construction plans, including new courtrooms on the eighth floor and potential expansion in North County.  The Judge advised that the system is managing judicial turnover with three new circuit judges and dealing with retirements, including Judge Gillen who is aging out at 75.  There are five new judges total expected to start within six months, but they will be assigned to probate or civil divisions rather than criminal divisions.

 

Clerk Mike Caruso highlighted the escalating property fraud problem, reporting cases increased from 4 two years ago to 184 last year, with an estimated 800 cases expected this year. The clerk's office offers free property fraud alerts and is conducting community outreach to sign up residents

 

State Attorney Alexcia Cox shared that she was in Tallahassee this week for the first week of session and was proud to join the PBC team in several meetings requesting appropriations and/or renewal of appropriations for Reentry.  State Attorney Cox shared expressed that it was important and she was glad to lend her support and be a voice in the room.  In addition, she will be attending an event in Belle Glade for a seal and expungement workshop with several justice partners here at the meeting today.  The Public Defender, the clerk's office, PBSO, Career source, and the City of Belle Glade Legal Aid are collaborating to bring this opportunity to our Western Community to give individuals a new start that qualify an opportunity to have their records sealed.

 

Public Defender Daniel Eisinger provided an update based on previous data presented on the trends identified in the criminal justice and court system. He raised concerns about changing arrest patterns for misdemeanors. Previously, about 60% of misdemeanor cases resulted in notices to appear (NTA) rather than physical arrests, but this ratio has now inverted, with more people being physically arrested. While jail time for misdemeanors has only increased from 5-6 days to 8-9 days, the doubling of physical arrests is impacting individuals' ability to maintain housing and employment. 

 

Colonel Masri, PBSO advised that the officers can issue an NTA if the defendant has an address.  If they have no physical address, then the arrest is mandatory.  Chief Araujo agreed that if they do not have an address, then the offices must book them into the jail.

The members discussed the possible correlation with homelessness and the influx in arrests and agreed that this is something to be explored.

 

X.            Task Force Reports

A.    Status Update: Probation Advisory Board Contract Compliance Monitoring Report for Professional Probation Services (PPS)

Executive Director Pickett discussed the task force reports included in the packets.  The Professional Probation Services (PPS) contract evaluations for CY 2023-2024 and FY 2025 are back on track and have been completed.  The FY 2025 evaluation was recently presented to the Probation Advisory Board, but they did not vote on it as they did not have quorum at their last meeting.

1.       CY 2023-2024

2.      FY 2025

XI.            Member Comments

Daniel Eisinger, Public Defender raised concerns about changing arrest patterns for misdemeanors. Previously, about 60% of misdemeanor cases resulted in notices to appear (NTA) rather than physical arrests, but this ratio has now inverted, with more people being physically arrested. While jail time for misdemeanors has only increased from 5-6 days to 8-9 days, the doubling of physical arrests is impacting individuals' ability to maintain housing and employment. 

 

Colonel Masri, PBSO advised that the officers are only allowed to issue an NTA if the defendant has an address.  If they have no physical address, then the arrest is mandatory.

 

XII.            Guest Comments

Colonel Masri discussed the PBSO upcoming Threat Management Team's 4th annual summit on April 29 – May 1, 2026, which brings federal and local law enforcement collaboration from around the country to discuss best practices.  He invited the members and guests to attend as there are a few spots left.

 

XIII.            Adjournment – Meeting Adjourned at 1:30pm

 

 

Next Meeting: Monday, March 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM

CareerSource, 3400 Belvedere Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406​