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Rep. Peterman Tapped To Head Juvenile Justice

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By CARLOS MONCADA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 8, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Gov. Charlie Crist this morning named Democratic state Rep. Frank Peterman to lead the troubled Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

The Republican governor made the announcement before a predominantly black crowd standing outside a black history museum in the inner-city area of Peterman's St. Petersburg-based district.

Peterman, 45, a Baptist minister, has served since 1988 as director of development for Juvenile Services Program Inc., a Clearwater-based nonprofit agency that runs diversionary programs for first-time youth offenders. Before that, he was a juvenile services counselor and a parole and probation trainee.

The ranking Democratic member on the House Committee on Juvenile Justice, Peterman replaces Walt McNeil, recently named secretary of the state Department of Corrections.

"Representative Peterman's dedication to improving the lives of young people is evident from his 23-year track record of juvenile services work," Crist said. "His six years on the House Juvenile Justice Committee give him a unique perspective on how to continue the improvements we are making in Florida's juvenile justice system."

Peterman's long juvenile justice experience includes establishing a mentoring program for black male youths through the Urban League of Pinellas County and securing funding and staffing for Blacks Against Dangerous Drugs.

A 1985 graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, he has been senior pastor of The Rock of Jesus Missionary Baptist Church in St. Petersburg since 2002

Peterman first was elected to the state Legislature in 2000 after serving three years on the St. Petersburg City Council. This year would have marked his eighth and final term because of term limits.

Peterman said he wants to shift the agency's focus from incarceration to prevention and work to reduce the escalating rate of crime among girls.

"This opportunity is a wonderful way to express the department's commitment to Florida's children and young people," Peterman said. "Our devotion to the longevity of implementing prevention programs will have a lasting impact throughout our state.''

A special election will be held to fill Peterman's District 55 seat. The district includes parts of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Among those seeking the post is Darryl Rouson, a St. Petersburg lawyer and former president of the St. Petersburg branch of the NAACP.

"All of us who have known Frank have known for a long time his interest in the young," Rouson said. "I think it's an excellent choice by the governor."

St. Petersburg Councilman Earnest Williams and Sarasota activist Charles McKenzie also have filed for the District 55 seat.

Crist announced the appointment during a visit to the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African-American Museum with students of the Yvonne C. Reed Christian School in St. Petersburg. The museum is named for a son of former slaves seen by many as the father of Black History Month for launching Negro History Week in 1926.

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at cmoncada@tampatrib.com or (727) 451-2333.

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