White House Task Force To Combat Violent Extremism Underway
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A White House summit to discuss potential measures to fight violent extremism is underway, with two officials leading crime-fighting efforts in the Twin Cities expected to be in attendance.
Minneapolis-St. Paul was one of three metro areas asked be part of the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism, as the Twin Cities contain a large Somali population.
Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau and Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek are set to attend the conference. The two will talk about a pilot program designed to engage at-risk communities and stop extremists from recruiting in Minnesota.
Stanek says the need for programs like this became heightened after the deadly terror attacks in Paris.
"Folks started thinking about it, thinking it can happen here. We have an obligation to work with those parents, those faith community members, local business people, to understand what this is and what we can better do, and what happens in Minnesota happens elsewhere," Stanek said.
Stanek is the incoming president of the National Sheriff's Association.
Along with Harteau and Stanek, representatives from Boston and Los Angeles will also attend the summit on February 18.
About 15 law enforcement representatives and Somali community leaders will attend as well.
The Task Force will make recommendations to President Barack Obama by March 2 regarding how to use public trust to promote effective crime reduction.
