RTI International to host annual community safety symposium with focus on gun violence, illicit drug supply

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, is hosting its annual Symposium on Community Safety and Policing Research on March 15-16. The free two-day event will examine evidence-based strategies to improve community safety and features an array of topics, including gun violence, recruiting and retention efforts in policing, and recent trends in the illicit drug landscape.

The symposium will be held in-person at RTI’s headquarters in Research Triangle Park, but attendees can also register to attend virtually via Zoom.

What:
Featured sessions and speakers include:

• Understanding the Impact of Gun Violence on Communities: A panel with RTI’s Stacy Sechrist, Ph.D., and the founders of Mikey 23 Foundation and Mother’s Standing Against Gun Violence addressing gun violence from a community perspective while increasing community trust with local law enforcement agencies.
• Addressing Gun Violence through Public Safety and Community-Based Collaborations: A panel that includes Kevin Strom, Ph.D., director of RTI’s Center for Policing Research and Investigation Science, and representatives from High Point Communities Against Violence and the Lansing (MI) Police Department. The discussion will focus on the importance of engaging communities in firearm violence reduction efforts.
• Promoting Community Safety through Recruiting and Retention Advancements: A panel with RTI’s Jennifer Rineer, Ph.D., and leaders of the North Carolina Law Enforcement Women’s Association and National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives focusing on how agencies can better recruit, retain and support a strong and diverse public safety workforce.
• Understanding the Illicit Drug Landscape in the U.S.: A keynote session featuring RTI’s Jon Zibbell, Ph.D., that will focus recent overdose trends and law enforcement exhibits to explain changes in the illicit drug supply.

When:
Wednesday, March 15, and Thursday, March 16
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET (both days)

Where:
RTI International 
3040 East Cornwallis Road
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Holden Building, Multipurpose Room, First Floor

Register:
Registration link: https://go.rti.org/2023-policing-symposium 
In-person registration is limited. If unable to register for in-person attendance, attendees can join the symposium virtually via Zoom.

To request advance or on-site media interviews, please contact news@rti.org.