Reducing Crime One Street at a Time

The issue of illegal dumping has had a negative impact on many Dayton, Ohio neighborhoods. Illegal dumping poses a health risk to residents, lowers property value, and is costly to taxpayers. As a result of areas appearing to be unkempt, neighborhoods plagued with this problem have been found to attract criminal activity.
On April 4, 2014 Montgomery County Juvenile Court hosted its third annual community clean up in the Newcomb Plains Neighborhood. This was a community effort, with multiple partners coming together to improve the appearance of one of our city’s neighborhoods. Montgomery County Juvenile Court Reclaiming Futures, Probation Department, Solid Waste and the City of Dayton Priority Board identified this neighborhood as an area of need.
Over thirty youth, twenty staff and Natural Helpers met at St. Paul United Methodist Church, for lunch. Judge Anthony Capizzi encouraged everyone that participated and celebrated the incredible impact that the youth were having in this neighborhood. After a slight rain delay the group took to the streets and alleyways, motivated and eager to make a difference. Volunteers also distributed a community resource pamphlet with information on services available for alcohol and drug abuse, mental health assistance and food services.
When the job was completed the team had eclipsed their last year’s total of 5.7 tons of trash in an afternoon, with an astounding 8.4 tons. This activity was one of many youth involved activities going on during the month of April, to celebrate youth service projects. On April 25, 2014 Montgomery County Juvenile Court youth involved in this project were recognized at the United Way Global Youth Service Day Celebration.

Mike Garrett began his career with the Court 14 years ago as a Youth Leader in Detention Services. Throughout his tenure with the Court, Mike has served as a Youth Leader, Receiving Specialist, Court Service Officer, and a Traditional Probation Officer. He was promoted to a specialized Probation Officer with the Juvenile Cognitive Alternative Rehabilitation Effort supervising felony offenders and was later promoted to Probation Services Supervisor with the Resource Planning Program. Mike is extremely passionate about working with families, volunteers and the community. Mike received training from the University of Cincinnati on the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 2008. He has over five years experience delivering and implementing CBT strategies into case management. Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College and a Master’s Degree of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. He is happily married to his wife of ten years and has two daughters.