LISC Milwaukee announced today that Bess Earl will be taking the position of Program Officer for Community Safety. This position seeks to ensure the strategic alignment of neighborhood investment and development with existing and planned law enforcement initiatives in the city of Milwaukee. Earl will work closely with community development initiatives and law enforcements to advance common goals for the increased safety and vitality of Milwaukee neighborhoods.

Most recently, Bess Earl served as the Director of the Washington Park Partners (WPP) Sustainable Communities where she oversaw neighborhood revitalization strategies. At the same time, Earl was the Coordinator of Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) Coordinator for United Methodist Children’s Services. BCJI is a federal grant program that aims to reduce crime and improve community safety to advance overall neighborhood revitalization. Through a partnership team, including neighborhood residents, Milwaukee Police Department, and local agencies, the BCJI targeted hot spots of violent and serious crime and employed data-driven, cross-sector strategies resulting in the reduction of violent crime in Washington Park.

Bess was an AmeriCorps member for two years with the 16^th Street Community Health Center and the Washington Park Partners.  Bess has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is currently enrolled in the University of Milwaukee’s Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate Program.