A group representing law enforcement, the court system, child services and education renewed their commitment to working with Howard County’s at-risk youth Wednesday.

Those who contribute to the S.A.F.E. P.O.L.I.C.Y. services (which stands for School Administrators For Effective Police, Probation and Prosecution Operation Leading to Improved Children and Youth) and the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) gathered in Judge Lynn Murray’s circuit court Wednesday afternoon for the annual renewal of the programs.

“We’re able to identify at-risk children before they’re ‘in the system,’” Murray said. “By implementing these principles … we’re able to hold children accountable for their behavior, protect community safety and also be more cost effective by placing the right children in the right place for the right reasons.”