Community Outreach

Las Vegas Community Outreach

Las Vegas, like each of the FBI’s local field offices, has a community outreach program that complements and strengthens our many efforts to protect you, your businesses, and your families in concrete ways through a range of activities and initiatives.

Our activities include:

FBI Citizen Academy

Graduates of the 10th annual Las Vegas Citizens Academy

On Wednesday, May 1, 2013, nineteen (19) business, religious, civic, and community leaders in the 10th annual FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy completed their eight-week course during a ceremony held at Texas Station Resort and Casino.

The 2013 FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy Graduation and Awards Ceremony Dinner was sponsored by the FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBI LV CAAA). After a cocktail reception, the program was opened by emcee, 2012 Miss Nevada Randi Sundquist.  Palo Verdi High School AFJROTC Color Guard held a flag ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem was sung by 2012 Miss Nevada Outstanding Teen Ellie Smith. Both Miss Nevada and Miss Teen Nevada run statewide anti-bullying campaigns and have assisted in other law enforcement and FBI crime prevention and bullying awareness events.

After a buffet dinner, Nevada Supreme Court Justice Ron Paraguirre gave the keynote speech.   The FBI LV CAAA recognized the FBI Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT) as “The Team of the Year” for their pursuit of criminals wanted for violent felony charges in Nevada.  The CAT was also honored at the White House during Police Week on May 11th.

This year’s academy included the following members: Adam Burk, News Director with Nevada Public Radio;  Amar Chadha, C.K. Financial, Inc.;  Dean Collins, Senior VP, Nevada State Bank;  Frank Gonzales, VP Distribution Operations, NV Energy and Commanding General Army Nevada National Guard; Fernando Guzman, Fernando Guzman Law Offices, Chtd; Charles Harvey, Administrator for Nevada Taxicab Authority; the Honorable Ronald Israel, Clark County Nevada District Court Judge;  William Jacks, M.D., Premium Family Care; J. Terry Jones, VP of Development, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts; Kimberly Kindig, Development Specialist for The Mob Museum; Ellis Landau, Nevada Regional Chairman of the Anti-Defamation League; Bryan Martin, Owner/Operator Shogren Enterprises, LLC, Port of Subs;  Maxie Miller-Hooks III, Principal/Assistant Director of ART Homes;  Marie Mortera, KSNV Channel 3 Anchor; Dan Russell, President, Russell Financial Services, Dipti R. Shah, M.D,, Radar Medical Group; Adam T. Sperling, Tournament Director Shriners Hospitals for Children;  Dr. Christine G. Springer, Director-Executive Master of Science in Crisis & Emergency Management, UNLV; and Richard Truesdell, President/Broker, Cornerstone Company. 

Potential candidates for the FBI Citizens Academy must:

Nominations for the FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy may be submitted prior to the close date, December 31, 2013. Dates for the 2014 academy have not been announced. Classes are held once a week for eight weeks. Nominations may be submitted by present or former FBI employees, Citizens Academy graduates, FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association members, or a self-nominated.

Candidates MUST meet the following criteria:

1. A recognized business, religious, or community leader from a diverse population.
2. Be a U.S. citizen.
3. Live/work within the Division’s jurisdiction.
4. Minimum age is 21 years.
5. No prior felony convictions.
6. No misdemeanor arrests within one year of application.
7. Must consent to a criminal records check and sign a Waiver Statement with regard to a criminal and driving records check.
8. Agree to attend all sessions with no more than two excused absences.

To nominate a candidate, please complete this candidate form.  Selection of the candidates is based on factors such as their level and nature of participation in community, civic, religious groups and organizations outside of work.  Explain why they would make a good candidate and their interest in learning more about the FBI.  When applying, please be sure to include a detailed description of any organizations they are involved in, how long they have been a member, and any positions held. Also, be sure to include the home address and phone number,  employer, position held, and contact numbers. Although a resume or bio is not required, it is helpful in giving the selection committee a closer look at the nominee.  The nomination may be sent to the special agent in charge.

Twenty (20) business, religious, civic, and community leaders are chosen to attend this annual program which gives an inside look at the FBI. The goal of the FBI Citizens Academy is to foster a greater understanding of the Bureau’s role in the community and to open lines of communication between the FBI and those it serves. Participants receive presentations on procedures in federal investigations, firearms safety, terrorism, counterterrorism, cyber crimes, SWAT, undercover operations, white-collar crimes, violent crimes, public corruption, and civil rights.

After graduation the attendees are expected to help improve relationships between law enforcement agencies and the community by sharing the insights and information they gain staying involved in the FBI Community Outreach Programs by becoming a member of the FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBI CAAA).  Academy graduates, while not in any way an official spokesperson for the FBI, may be called upon to share their understanding of the role of federal law enforcement.

2012 Range Night

The noise in the Las Vegas desert the naight of April 17, 2012 was hostage taking, flash bangs, and gunfire, but this time it wasn’t the bad guys—it was members of the 2012 FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy being arrested as role players! The “good guys”—the FBI Las Vegas Division SWAT team—demonstrated what happens in a hostage situation. After a safety brief, the class had a chance to fire weapons used by the FBI.

FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association

The FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy Alumni Association (CAAA) was established in the fall of 2009. The FBI LV CAAA is a non-profit organization made up of FBI Citizens’ Academy graduates who support the goals and mission of the FBI, A academy program, and community outreach. Each Alumni Association works to support the local FBI field office, to nominate future Citizens’ Academy members, to participate in outreach programs in the community, and to become better informed on issues of federal law enforcement.

Visit the FBI Las Vegas Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association (CAAA) website by going to http://lvfbicaa.org.

Visit to FBI Headquarters and Quantico

Members of Las Vegas Citizens Academy Alumni Association visit FBI Headquarters

The Las Vegas Division’s community outreach program held its second FBI Citizen Academy pilgrimage to FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and the FBI Training Academy at Quantico, Virginia June 11-14, 2012.

The group began their adventure on Tuesday, June 12, with a visit to the J. Edgar Hoover Building, FBI Headquarters. There they were greeted and escorted to the Strategic Information and Operations Center, where they received briefings from supervisory special agents and a tour of the building. After lunch in the FBI cafeteria and shopping in the FBI store, the group toured the new FBI Education Center. The day concluded with a tour of The International Spy Museum, and later that evening they enjoyed dinner at Washington D.C.’s historic Old Ebbitt Grill.

On Wednesday, everyone met at FBI Headquarters and boarded a bus for FBI Training Academy, at Quantico, Virginia. After a tour of the main campus, lunch was served at the academy cafeteria. The day concluded with a visit to the FBI Laboratory, Hogan’s Alley, and the TEVOC (Tactical and Emergency Vehicle Operations Center).

Thursday morning, June 14, the group spent the day at our nation’s Capitol, beginning with a meet-and-greet with Senator Harry Reid. Photos were taken with the senator and a tour of the Capitol was conducted by his staffers. The final morning event included a meeting with Senator Dean Heller in his office.

Mob Museum Visit

The FBI, Las Vegas, and the Mob...their histories are intertwined, and on Tuesday, April 3, the three entities came together again.

The National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement, better known as “The Mob Museum,” located in the former federal courthouse and U.S. Post Office, opened its doors to the public on February 14, 2012, anniversary of the St. Valentine’s Day massacre. Former FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Ellen Knowlton is the president of the non-profit organization. Jonathan Ullman, executive director of the museum, is also a member of the 2012 FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy.

Meeting many of the special agents whose cases are part of the museum’s history and exhibits, Jonathan invited the FBI, FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, and Former Special Agents Association to the museum as part of the FBI Citizens Academy agenda.

Las Vegas Division Special Agent in Charge Kevin Favreau welcomes the group in the old federal courtroom of The Mob Museum.

From left to right: FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBI LV CAAA) President Tim Wong; Mob Museum Executive Director Jonathan Ullman, a member of 2012 FBI Citizens Academy; Jeff Silver, FBI Citizens Academy ’05, FBI LV CAAA Board of Directors and Secretary, and Mob Museum Board of Directors, Treasurer; and Las Vegas Division Special Agent in Charge Kevin Favreau.

The Mob Museum has many high tech theater presentations, one of a kind artifacts, and interactive exhibits presenting the battle between organized crime and law enforcement.

Las Vegas Promotes FBI’s Child ID App

On December 10, 2011, the Las Vegas FBI office and its Citizen Academy Alumni Association (CAAA) partnered with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD) Convention Center Area Command, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, and the Las Vegas Security Chief’s Association, to assist in the first “Child Safety Day” event held at the Convention Center.

As part of the free event, which was covered by the local media, participants had the chance to learn about the new FBI Child ID application for iPhones and iPads. In addition, the FBI and FBI CAAA provided American Football Coaches Association Child ID kits to each child and parent who attended. Assisted by the LVMPD CSI Explorers, each youngster had the opportunity to be fingerprinted as well.

Parents and children from all over Clark County, Nevada, were invited to attend Child Safety Day. In addition to presentations for participants from local child safety advocacy programs, the youngsters were able to talk to police officers, explore police vehicles, see robot demonstrations, meet McGruff the Crime Dog and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, and enjoy free food and music.

Adopt-A-School/Junior Special Agent Programs

The Las Vegas Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the FBI Las Vegas Citizen Academy Alumni Association (FBI LV CAAA) has partnered with Preparatory Institute, School for Academic Excellence at Charles I. West Hall (West Prep) for this school year’s FBI’s Adopt-A-School Program.

The FBI Junior Special Agents Academy was offered to 25 fifth graders who wrote the best essays telling why they wanted to be a Junior Special Agent and learn about the FBI.

During October’s National Crime Prevention Month the fifth graders participated in a crime prevention poster contest.

During National School Lunch Week the FBI participated in the ‘Lunch Buddies’ Program. Many special agents and support staff visited the students during their lunch period and either ate with or just talked the students answering questions about their careers in the FBI.

FBI LV CAAA President Tim Wong has dedicated his time, talents, and funding to make this year’s adoption very special. President Wong presented playground equipment to the classes and provided gift bags of school supplies to a number of students who needed supplies at home.

Graduation was held in January 2012. Each student who completes all the assignments will receive their FBI badge and credentials and a tour of the FBI building.

As part of the Adopt-A-School program, a Teen Academy is being planned for the high school students during the second semester.

FBI Las Vegas Adopt-A-School Program:

On November 14th, 2012, sixty-nine fifth graders from West Prep School, Las Vegas, Nevada, got a big surprise during their regular FBI Junior Special Agents in Training class.  After being shown the YouTube music video “Don’t Let It Get to You,” the students were asked, ‘Does anyone know who wrote and sang this song about bullying?’  Students began raising their hands and said ‘That’s Ellie Smith!”

As they answered, in walked the 2012-2013 Miss Nevada’s Outstanding Teen Ellie Smith to the cheers of all the students!  For the next hour Ellie talked about her experiences as a victim of bullying and got the class actively involved in some anti-bullying activities.  After her presentation, Ellie sang with the students, signed autographs for everyone, and took group pictures with the classes.

Sixteen year old Ellie Smith was a victim of continuous bullying in school during grades 4 through 8.  Upon entering high school she was determined to help other young students who may face bullying in school. She has visited schools throughout the state of Nevada giving presentations on her anti-bullying campaign.  Ellie is a singer and actress who has performed nationally before live audiences.  She sang her first National Anthem at age 9 for the Dodgers and has since sung for Major League Baseball, NFL, and NBA teams nationwide.

Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA)

The FBI recognizes the achievements of individuals or organizations in the community who provide outstanding service by presenting the annual Director’s Community Leadership Award.This award is given to those who are actively involved in drug, gang, crime, and violence education and prevention. Our 2012 recipient was Phyllis C. Friedman. Ms. Firedman joined the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in December 2007.  She attended the FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy, and later that year helped organize the first FBI Community Relations Executive Seminar Training (CREST) for twenty members of the Anti-Defamation Leagues’ Board of Directors.

Community Relations Executive Seminar Training (CREST)

Las Vegas CREST Held for Anti-Defamation League Executives

On Tuesday, November 15, 2011, a Community Relations Executive Seminar Training (CREST) was held for 20 members of the Anti-Defamation Leagues’ (ADL) Board of Directors.

The FBI CREST is a shorter, more focused version of the Citizen Academy conducted in partnership with an organization or group to explain the internal workings of the FBI. It is topic driven, and sessions are customized to meet the needs of each organization or group. CREST helps improve the FBI’s understanding of communities by establishing a consistent exchange of information.

This CREST was organized to give the leaders of the ADL an inside look at the FBI and a chance to meet with supervisory agents from the Civil Rights and Joint Terrorism Task Force to discuss anti-Semitic problems and solutions in the Las Vegas area.

The Las Vegas Anti-Defamation Board of Directors, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bill Woerner, Supervisory Special Agent Rod Swanson, Supervisory Special Agent Joe Dickey, and Chief Division Counsel David Staretz. Photo by Community Outreach Specialist Holly James.

Community Outreach

• Speaker Requests: The Las Vegas Division may be able to furnish a speaker for your educational, civic, or workplace-based organization. To submit a request, send a letter to FBI Community Outreach, 1787 West Lake Mead Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89106. The request must be sent at least 45 days prior to the date of the event, and please include the location, date and time, topic of interest, and your contact information. Every effort will be made to honor such requests, although there may be occasions when workloads of staff dictate otherwise.
• Elementary and Middle School Speaker Requests: FBI Las Vegas receives many school requests for speakers at Career Days, Careers on Wheels, Nevada Reading Week, and other presentations. Unfortunately, we cannot visit every school we receive a request from, so we have set up a priority list. Schools that are actively participating in the FBI-SOS (Safe Online Surfing) Internet Challenge (grades 3 through 8) will have priority. When submitting your request for a speaker, please be sure to state if and when your school has participated in the FBI-SOS program.

• Partnering with USVets and Nellis Air Force Base: Our personnel volunteered to work at the USVets Stand Down, an annual two-day event that assembles homeless veterans and provides food, clothing, veterans benefits, referrals, and entertainment by Elvis…only in Las Vegas!

For more information contact:

Holly James
Community Outreach Specialist
1787 West Lake Mead Boulevard
Las Vegas , NV 89106
(702) 584-5678

Visit our national In Your Community website for more information about our overall outreach efforts and our work in other local FBI offices.