The Coconino County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council stepped into the spotlight recently, with the presentation of its 2025 CJCC Awards. At a joint meeting with the Flagstaff City Council and the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, the council celebrated local initiatives that push the envelope in fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and demonstrating valiance within the realm of criminal justice.
Among the recipients, the North Star Task Force clinched the Collaboration and Partnership Award. Their multidisciplinary tactics have been crucial, informed by survivors, in the fight against human trafficking. In 2024 alone, they were behind 28 arrests tied to child sexual exploitation and extended their support to over 250 trafficking survivors, according to the official Coconino County press release.
The Innovation in Criminal Justice Award went to Stuck Community Acupuncture’s Mobile AcuDetox Team, providing NADA-protocol acupuncture to those entangled with justice systems or living without shelter. Notably, the team’s efforts reached out to rural and tribal communities, impacting lives with treatments that report nearly unanimous positive feedback on reduced stress and anxiety levels.
Amanda Gallegos's journey brought her the Courage in Justice Award, with her lived experiences of incarceration and addiction being pivotal in her role as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist at Juvenile Court. Her participation in the Children of Incarcerated Parents Workgroup and her contributions to caregiver resources have underpinned her recognized efforts to destigmatize and transform system interactions with empathy and relatability, shared in the official statement.
The awards ceremony serves as a beacon, casting a light on those who seek the betterment of public safety and the justice system. It was a moment that saw city and county leaders alike standing in unity with those dedicated to righting the systemic imbalances. Their gathered presence underscored the ongoing commitment to community improvement and the pursuit of well-being for all residents of Coconino County and Flagstaff.
Interested parties in learning more about the CJCC or these recent accolades can visit the council’s website or call the provided contact number.
