[Decatur, GA] DeKalb County law enforcement officials will host the Crime Prevention Tour on Saturday, February 27, at Tucker Middle School, located at 2160 Idlewood Rood in Tucker. DeKalb County residents, homeowner associations and business owners are encouraged to attend the free event which begins promptly at 8:30a.m.with a complimentary breakfast. The event ends at noon.

The Crime Prevention Tour, a joint effort among the DeKalb District Attorney's Office, DeKalb Solicitor-General's Office and the DeKalb Sheriff's Office, will educate and empower residents about crime prevention, community resources and public safety initiatives.

DeKalb County District Attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming, Solicitor-General Robert James and Sheriff Thomas Brown are scheduled to attend.

"The Crime Prevention Tour is an interactive community event that allows residents and business owners an opportunity to directly interface with various arms of public safety here in DeKalb County," said DeKalb Solicitor-General James. "We are there to answer questions and address concerns of residents while providing participants with an understanding of the law and law enforcement procedures."

"Each event allows us to learn more from the residents about how best to meet their criminal justice needs and concerns," said District Attorney Keyes Fleming.

Workshops include various informational sessions focused on: gang activity, the juvenile justice system, domestic violence, elderly and disabled abuse, community prosecution program, child abandonment, DeKalb Police Department's Interactive Community Policing Program and more.

"The Crime Prevention Tours are important to the Sheriff's Office and to our constituents because they provide the perfect opportunity to educate our citizens and all community stakeholders on what this agency does to keep the community safe," said Sheriff Brown.

For more information, contact Dana Lawrence at 404-371-6342 or Ebony Phillips 404-371-3685.

DeKalb County Solicitor Robert James was recently named to Georgia Trend's "40 Under 40" list. Finalists, including James, are profiled in the magazine's October issue cover story.

"I am truly honored to be recognized by Georgia Trend in this year's "40 under 40" finalists," said James, 37. Each year, the magazine's readers nominate individuals who are leaders in Georgia's business, cultural, academic and governmental institutions. This year, nearly 350 readers nominated 165 candidates.
"I've always wanted to be in a position in my life where God would use me to make change in the world," he said in an interview with Georgia Trend. "I believe that is what he's doing, so I wake up every morning drunk with the possibility of a new day. What can we do to make this place better."
Since taking office, James has led numerous efforts to combat educational neglect, truancy, domestic violence and crimes against the elderly. Additionally, he has taken an innovative approach to working with young offenders through the "Jobs Not Jail" program which provides opportunities for offenders to pursue educational degrees and gainful employment.
"Each year, the 40 Under 40 finalists represent the ‘best and brightest' among the rising young leaders in our state," says Georgia Trend Publisher Neely Young. "It's good to know the future of Georgia is in their hands."
This is the 13th year the magazine has presented this honor. A complete list of the 2009 honorees can be found at www.georgiatrend.com