U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson Convenes Rural Crime Summit with Federal, State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement to Enhance Public Safety

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -Today, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson convened a Rural Crime Summit, bringing together representatives from

federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies throughout the state's westernmost region, to discuss strategies for combating violent crime, increasing coordination and information sharing, and enhancing public safety.

The summit included representatives from federal and state law enforcement agencies, district attorneys' offices, sheriff's offices, police department, and tribal law enforcement serving communities throughout Western North Carolina, including the FBI, ATF, DEA, HSI Carolinas, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitives Task Force, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety-Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, the Clay County Sheriff's Office, the Haywood County Sheriff's Office, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, the Macon County Sheriff's Office, the Sylva Police Department, and District Attorney-Elect Martin Moore, among others.

"It is easy to focus on crime in our urban centers, but we cannot forget our more rural areas, which are victimized by crime, too," said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. "Crime doesn't stop at city borders, and we have seen criminals bring drugs and the crime that comes with drugs in and out of our cities. This summit provided an opportunity for law enforcement from across Western North Carolina to share ideas, identify challenges, and strengthen the collaborative relationships that help keep our communities safe."

During the meeting, participants discussed regional crime trends, including identifying drivers of violent crime and repeat offenders who illegally possess firearms, fugitive apprehension, drug trafficking, gang activity, juvenile crime, elder and child exploitation, victim services, and other emerging public safety challenges facing mountain and rural communities. Participants also examined opportunities to enhance intelligence sharing and data-driven strategies to reduce crime, coordinate on enforcement initiatives, and identify federal resources that support local crime reduction efforts.

"The public is safest when law enforcement agencies work together to coordinate their efforts and learn from one another," said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. "By bringing partner agencies together from across the region, we can continue building stronger partnerships that protect our citizens and make our communities safer."

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