Prosecutor’s office has services to help crime victims
In observance of Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 2-8, the Daily Press will be publishing a series of editorials authored by local agencies that support local crime victims.
— — —
ESCANABA — The National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 2 – 8, 2017. The theme for this week is “Strength, Resilience and Justice.”
In 1988 the Crime Victim Rights Act was passed. Since that time, through the State of Michigan, our community has been working toward providing improved services to victims of crime. Philip Strom, Delta County prosecutor, and his staff are committed to providing services and engaging our community to assist victims of crime.
Throughout the year the prosecutor teams up with law enforcement and other victim’s service agencies to participate in a monthly crime victim task force meeting.
During the task force meetings, agencies share information and try to work together to ensure crime victims are being treated fairly and with dignity as required by our Constitution. Local agencies also work together to identify community needs and services that would be helpful to empowering local victims of crime.
Delta County now has one full-time crime victim advocate, Karen Alvord, and a specially trained canine advocate, Charles. Karen assists victims by helping them understand the criminal justice process. Karen informs victims of their constitutional rights and provides guidance as a criminal case moves through the court system. Charles helps sooth victim anxiety associated with court hearings and appointments by providing comfort and compassion during an unfamiliar and intimidating situation.
This year, the Delta County Prosecutor’s Office was awarded a federal grant that has allowed for a new outreach advocate. Tina Green joined the prosecutor’s office in 2017 to provide a rapid response and community service referral service to crime victims. So far this year, Ms. Green has provided rapid response services to over 30 crime victims. She has assisted those victims by providing referrals to meaningful community resources such as housing, emergency assistance, restitution and counseling.
The Delta County Prosecutor’s Office is dedicated to guiding victims through the criminal justice system and assisting victims with finding local community services to assist in safe and healthy living.
The prosecutor’s office is on the second floor of the Delta County Courthouse in Escanaba and can be contacted at (906)-789-5115.