SE Vegas News

A Clark County commissioner recently joined the National Association of Counties' (NACo) racial equity program.

Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick was selected as an elected official due to her efforts to recognize and remove racial and ethnic disparities in the area's criminal justice system, according to a news release from the county. She is now part of the County Officials advancing Racial Equity (CORE) in Justice Network. NACo's mission is to help the community improve public safety while ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to succeed.

Kirkpatrick has a track record of proposals that were the catalyst for racial justice through programs, legislation, and financing, the news release noted. She also supports the Harbor Juvenile Assessment Center, an organization that works to prevent at-risk children and teens from entering the juvenile justice system. The center has assisted over 18,500 adolescents with services that include mentoring, tutoring, counseling, and substance abuse treatment.

"The goal of the Harbor is to help kids who make small mistakes get the resources and the support they need so that they don't head down a path in life that prevents them from becoming successful adults," Kirkpatrick said in the news release. "Many of these children are members of racial and ethnic minority groups."

Kirkpatrick spearheaded the Pathway from Poverty program in the northeast Las Vegas Valley, according to the news release. Through this program, community partners "identify issues and share resources to improve the quality of life for the area's impoverished residents." Kirkpatrick also hosted a warrant-quashing event to address locals' minor, non-violent legal issues.