Chief Rick Smith To Speak At SECURE XX Conference

WAKEFIELD – Police Chief Rick Smith will be a featured speaker Friday morning at an event sponsored by UMass Lowell and the Middlesex Partnerships for Youth.

In partnership with host UMass Lowell, MPY is hosting the annual SECURE XX conference that will feature Chief Smith as an introductory speaker. He will discuss the growing incidents of hate crimes and bigotry that have plagued communities nationwide, creating a culture of fear and vulnerability in many schools. He will also address the essential role that educators and community leaders play in creating an inclusive atmosphere in order to proactively combat hate and extremism.

"Educators and law enforcement professionals have a critical responsibility to make schools as inclusive and welcoming as they can be," Chief Smith said. "Our schools and communities need to take the lead in the nationwide fight against hate and violence, and I'm eager to participate in the exchange of ideas and approaches that will help us solve this problem."

Additional presentations will include information on cyber threats and vulnerabilities, extremism, online safety and education about sensitive issues such as hate. The conference will also receive an update on how terrorist and extremist organizations use the cyber world to recruit youth as members.

Multiple UMass Lowell departments have joined the effort to make the conference possible. Operation250, which seeks to educate children, parents and teachers about online safety and extremism prevention, is also a key SECURE XX partner.