Cuyahoga County has appointed Myesha Watkins as the new Administrator of the county's Office of Violence Prevention, a move aimed at amplifying local efforts in curtailing violence through community intervention and public safety reform. Watkins, who previously served with distinction as the Executive Director of the Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance, is tasked with overseeing the integration of county resources to scale up successful strategies for preventing violence, as detailed by an announcement on Cuyahoga County's official website.
The Office of Violence Prevention, folded under the Department of Public Safety and Justice Services, strives to synergize cross-departmental and community efforts in violence prevention. It has a mission to elevate comprehensive solutions that preempt violence. According to Cuyahoga County Councilman Michael J. Houser, Watkins' positive influence has stretched from local streets to the White House, exemplified by the acclaim her work received in 2022. "I'm confident she'll bring that same level of excellence and transformative leadership to Cuyahoga County," Houser said in a statement obtained by the Cuyahoga County official website.
Watkins herself considers the role as a calling, stating via Cuyahoga County's official website, "I believe in the power of community to heal, to prevent harm, and to create safety from the ground up." With an educational background from Cleveland State University and an attendance record at the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy, her appointment is lauded by officials and community leaders alike. The Director of Public Safety and Justice Services, Brandy Carney, remarked on her leading the new office, "With Myesha leading this office, we are investing not just in programs, but in people." Watkins officially starts her new position on August 11.
The significance of this role and Watkins' expertise comes at a time when public safety strategies are increasingly focusing on preventative measures over reactive ones. Her work with the Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance and on various community boards, including Fostering Hope and Girls Advancing with Purpose, has prepared her for this expansive responsibility. For further information on the county's violence prevention initiatives, Watkins' background, and her vision for the Office of Violence Prevention, the public can visit the Cuyahoga County website.
