Miami-Dade Law Enforcement Leaders Say Quality Early Childhood Programs Pay Off

Crime fighters release new report showing early education cuts crime, saves taxpayers dollars

**Media Advisory for WEDNESDAY June 29**

MIAMI, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Local law enforcement leaders will visit the United Way of Miami-Dade Center for Excellence in Early Education on Wednesday to read to children enrolled in the Center's early learning program and discuss the value of early childhood education. Miami-Dade Police Director James Loftus and North Miami Beach Chief Rafael Hernandez will release a new brief showing that investing in high-quality early care and education in Florida can help at-risk children succeed, significantly reduce the likelihood that they will commit crimes and save taxpayer dollars through reduced corrections costs.

The national anti-crime organization Fight Crime: Invest in Kids is sponsoring the event as part of a nationwide law enforcement campaign to promote support for high-quality early childhood education. Wednesday's visit is the fortieth event in this campaign. Police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and violence survivors are urging Congress and state policymakers to oppose cuts to these programs and to support efforts to strengthen early care and education. Hundreds of thousands of children nationwide could lose access to these programs if Congress and the states do not prioritize funding for these programs during ongoing budget talks.

WHO: Director James Loftus, Miami-Dade Police Department
Chief Rafael Hernandez, North Miami Beach Police Department and President of the Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police
Harve Mogul, President and CEO of the United Way of Miami-Dade
Ted Eismeier, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Spokesman

WHAT: Law Enforcement Visit to Classroom and News Conference

WHEN: Wednesday, June 29,10:30 a.m. ET

WHERE: United Way of Miami-Dade Center for Excellence in Early Education
3250 Southwest Third Avenue, Miami, Florida

Call for Directions, Parking and Visiting Information: (305) 631-7600

www.unitedwaymiami.org

VISUALS:
-- Law enforcement leaders in uniform reading to young children at a preschool
--Charts and research report showing how early education can reduce crime among at-risk kids

SOURCE Fight Crime: Invest in Kids