U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder met with members of the North Charleston Police Department, Charleston Farms Community, and a program participant in the department’s innovative program S.T.A.N.D. (Stop and Take A New Direction).
Attorney General Holder heard first hand how the program, which focused on not just arresting low level narcotics dealers with little or no prior criminal history but to go a step further and help those involved in the activity change their lives for the better, has changed the lives of several participants and improved the quality of life in the neighborhood. AG Holder praised the department for “thinking outside of the box” in crime reduction strategies and for its community involvement.
Of the original eight (8) participants accepted in to the program, four completed the program, maintain full time employment and continue to be productive citizens. The project was broadcast nationwide last year on Dateline NBC.