PALM BEACH COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION
Annual Planning Meeting
Mounts Agricultural Center
559 N. Military Trail
West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Monday, February 23, 2026 at 9:00 AM
MEETING MINUTES
Members Present:
Alexcia Cox, State Attorney, 15th Judicial Circuit
Antonio Araujo, Chief, West Palm Beach Police Department
Colonel Talal Masri for Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County Sheriff, PBSO
Chief Dominick Pape, Palm Beach County Association of Chiefs of Police
Daniel Eisinger, Public Defender, 15th Judicial Circuit
Darcy Davis, Chief Executive Officer, HealthCare District
Derek Gibson, Circuit Administrator, Florida Department of Corrections
Erica Whitfield, PBC School District
Glenn Kelley, Chief Judge, 15th Judicial Circuit
Gregory Starling, Chief Probation Officer, Circuit 15, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Jorge Garrido, CJC Treasurer
Julia Dattolo, President/CEO, CareerSource PBC
Karen Hansen, CJC Secretary
Kathleen Kroll, Administrative Judge, Juvenile Division
Lawrence Gordon, Palm Beach County League of Cities
Leontyne Brown, d.b.a Leontyne Brown
Maria S. Antuña, CJC Vice Chair
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
Cesar Daniel Arbolaez, Pastor, Passion Church
Demetrios Thomas, Special Agent Supervisor at Florida Department of Law Enforcement, PBC
Jervonte Edmonds, Florida State Representative, District 88 and PBC Legislative Delegate
Jessica Bober-Rosenthal, Assistant County Attorney, Palm Beach County
Guests Present:
Adam Davis, PBC Youth Services
Akiria Jones, DJJ
Andrea Rocha, PBC Clerk and Comptroller
Anthony Mozealous, Department of Financial Services/BFAEI
Arlene Griffiths, Palm Beach County Public Safety Department
Barbara Gerlock, CAB
Captain Randy Foley, PBSO
Cheo Reid, State Attorney's office
Chief Javaro Sims, Retired Delray Beach PD
Chief Sean Brammer, FAU PD
Christine Jacobson, DCF
Cristy Altaro, 15th Circuit Court Administration
Dalad Srisuppak, Community Partners of South Florida
Dr. Aisha McKnight, SDPBC
Dr. Joanna Reid Enoise, PBC Community Services
Dr. Rachel Docekal, Chief Executive Officer, Hanley Foundation, and Past CJC Chair (ex-officio)
Dr. Twila Taylor, PBC Youth Services
Edward Rufus, Florida Department of Corrections
Elisa Cramer, PBC Youth Services Department
Eric Coleman, PBSO
Gabriella DeSabato, 15th Circuit Court Administration
Gilbert Morales, Public Safety Department
Heather DeStefano, Economic Council
Isis Williams, DCF
Jane Tierney, STRIDE Chair
Jen Loyless, Public Defender's Office
Jerry Leaky, Legal Aid Society
Jessica Hidalgo, Reentry Services, Palm Beach County Public Safety Department
Joel Figueras, 15th Circuit Court Administration
John Port, PBC Public Safety Department
Katia Greene, PBC Youth Services
Keith Clinkscale, Palm Beach County
Kenya Madison, Healthier Together Delray
Lauren Zuchman, Children Services Council
Lisa Williams Taylor, CHS & Behavioral Health Task Force Chair
Major Christopher Keane, PBSO
Marcela Millet, OSP Palm Beach County
Marianela Diaz, PBC Public Safety Department
Mary Claire Mucinec, PBC School District
Melissa Patterson, PBC School District
Michael Williams, SDPBC
Michelle Beatty, JFK North Hospital HCA
Morgan Campen, Riviera Beach PD
Nicole Bishop, PBC Public Safety Victim Services Division
Orie Bullard, Riviera Beach Reentry Center
Paulina Pasquarelli, 15th Circuit Court Administration
Randi Taylor, Public Safety Department
Reginald Durandisse, Community Partners of South Florida
Richard Moore, PBC School District Police
Roderick White, PBSO
Sean Wright, Reentry Riviera Beach
Shirlon St. Amour, PBC Public Safety Reentry
Stephanie Riley, DJJ
Stephanie Sejnoha, Director, Palm Beach County Public Safety Department
Terry Newton, Palm Beach County OSBD
Vivian Rodriguez, Chief of Staff to Commissioner Joel Flores
William Freeman, People of Purpose
Moderators:
Elisa Cramer, PBC Youth Services
Dwayne Bryant, Motivational Public Speaker
Court Systems Panel:
Judge April Bristow, Court Systems Task Force Chair
Judge Dalia Weiss, Administrative Judge
Judge Ashley Zuckerman, Administrative Judge & Probation Advisory Board Chair
Juvenile Justice Panel:
Moderator: Elisa Cramer, PBC Youth Services
Chief Gregory Starling, DJJ
Judge Kathleen Kroll, Juvenile Judge
Keith Oswald, Chief of Equity and Wellness PBC School District
Law Enforcement Panel:
Moderator: Dwayne Bryant, Motivational Public Speaker
Colonel Talal Masri, PBSO
Morgan Campen, Riviera Beach PD RTCC Manager
Chief Sean Brammer, FAU PD
Behavioral/Mental Health Impacts Panel:
Moderator: Dr. Rachel Docekal, Hanley Foundation
Oswald Newbold, CJC Member
Captain Randy Foley, Behavioral Services Unit, PBSO
Dr. John Dyben, Hanley Foundation
Karen Hansen, CJC Member
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. Welcome Remarks: Key Meeting Objectives & 2026 Vision
- Chair, Michelle Suskauer called the meeting to order and welcomed the members and guests. Chair Suskauer expressed her gratitude for all the members of the community, task forces, public and private members of the criminal justice commission, stakeholders, and law enforcement that attended. She thanked them for dedicating their time, efforts, and ideas as well as the anticipated collaboration to achieving their goals. Chair Suskauer also thanked CJC staff for all their hard work in preparing for the event and recognized their great work.
II. Commission Business: Current State of Strategic & Work Plans
· Executive Director Angelique Pickett completed roll call of the members and determined there was quorum.
III. Challenges & Opportunities in PBC Juvenile Justice
The juvenile justice panel addressed the unique structure of Palm Beach County's system, which includes five full-time juvenile judges handling both delinquency and dependency cases. A key distinction was emphasized: the purpose of juvenile court in Florida is rehabilitation and the best interest of the child, unlike adult court which focuses on punishment.
Major challenges identified included:
- Respite bed shortage: There is a critical need for respite beds for juveniles who cannot safely return home immediately
- Younger offenders: The system is seeing children as young as 12-13 entering the system, typically starting with battery or domestic violence incidents
- Parental challenges: Judges report parents walking out of court and leaving children, often due to their own struggles with homelessness, multiple jobs, or other issues
Successful programs highlighted included the Level Up mentoring program, a partnership between the Board of County Commissioners, Children's Services Council, and United Way providing enhanced mentoring for children in child welfare and juvenile justice systems
IV. Behavioral Health & Mental Health Challenges, Opportunities, and Impacts on the PBC Criminal Justice System and Resources
The behavioral health panel emphasized a three-factor framework: the individual, the substance or action, and the environment. Key innovations discussed included:
Crisis Response Teams: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has implemented crisis response teams pairing licensed clinicians with specially trained detectives, taking over 1,071 calls for service away from traditional law enforcement in less than a year.
Target Violence Unit: A specialized unit conducts over 1,200 investigations annually to prevent mass violence, with documented prevention of three mass shootings in 2025.
Reentry Challenges: Approximately 60% of individuals returning from incarceration face substance use or mental health challenges. The system struggles with institutionalization, lack of insurance, and limited access to care.
V. Challenges & Opportunities within the PBC Court System
The court system panel identified several operational challenges:
Interpreter Shortages: The court system has eight vacancies for Spanish interpreters, with passage rates for certification exams below 20%. This affects all aspects of criminal proceedings from plea negotiations to jury trials.
Jury Participation: Only approximately 30% of people respond to jury summons. The panel emphasized that jury duty is "really one of the few things that our country asks of us".
Federal Detainer Issues: Immigration holds and federal detainers complicate state court case resolutions, with courts often lacking information about defendants' status or location.
Attorney Shortage: There is a critical need for more court-appointed attorneys, particularly for serious felonies and capital cases, with only one death penalty-qualified attorney currently available.
VI. Panel Discussion: Trends in Policing – Emerging Issues, Technology, and Innovative Strategies to New Issues in Palm Beach County
The technology panel showcased cutting-edge implementations:
AI and Automation: The Sheriff's Office uses AI for real-time call transcription, report writing, and live body camera feeds. Technology has helped reduce officer-involved shootings from 12-13 annually to "one or two at the most".
Surveillance Systems: Riviera Beach operates over 430 cameras and has achieved a 100% homicide clearance rate using technology including ShotSpotter, facial recognition, and license plate readers.
Predictive Policing: Real-time crime centers provide predictive analysis 3-4 months ahead to assist with resource deployment.
Drone Technology: Both agencies use drones for surveillance, underwater investigations, and as "first responders" to provide real-time intelligence to responding officers.
Collaboration Themes
Throughout all panels, unprecedented levels of inter-agency cooperation were emphasized. Law enforcement leaders stated that criminals have no jurisdictional boundaries, requiring coordinated responses
VII. Regroup for Action Planning Session (new seating)
A. The second portion of the APM included a breakout session for the members to participate in one of the four groups of their choice. Those groups included Juvenile Justice, Behavioral/Mental Health Impacts, PBC Court Systems, and CJC Legislative Priorities. The members and guests identified pressing issues in these areas and discussed strategies on how to tackle them in the upcoming 1-2 years.
VIII. Plenary Group Wrap-Up with Key Item Report Back by each Action Planning Session Group (Topic/Issue, priority, resources, and summary)
IX. CJC Chair Final Remarks & Adjournment
The meeting concluded with action planning sessions designed to prioritize initiatives and allocate resources for the next 1-2 years of work. The collaboration extends beyond traditional law enforcement to include schools, mental health providers, and community organizations.
X. Short Summary
The Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) in Palm Beach County has seen a high level of cooperation, collaboration, communication, and professionalism among law enforcement agencies in the past 30 years. This is due to breaking down silos, open communication, and sharing of resources between agencies like the Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and the State Attorney's Office.
· Law enforcement in Palm Beach County has invested heavily in new technologies like AI-powered communication centers, real-time crime centers, facial recognition, license plate readers, drones, and more. These technologies have helped reduce officer-involved shootings, solve cold cases, and improve response times.
· Legislation and policies are also evolving, with efforts to unify 911 systems, allow sharing of student mental health records between K-12 and higher education, and regulate emerging technologies like e-bikes.
· Key challenges include a shortage of court interpreters, low jury duty response rates, complications with federal detainers, and lack of resources for competency restoration for mentally ill defendants.
The meeting concluded with action planning sessions where participants used workbooks to prioritize initiatives and assign task force responsibilities. The comprehensive discussions revealed both significant challenges and innovative solutions across juvenile justice, behavioral health, court operations, and law enforcement technology in Palm Beach County.