Apr 24th, 2022
Year round, victim advocates help crime survivors find their justice. Every April, they raise awareness in their communities about crime victims’ issues and rights during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. In commemoration of the week, the Mobile Police Department Victim Services Unit hosts its second annual Victims of Crime Awareness Walk. The department’s victim advocates hold the walk for victims of violent crime and for those who stand with the victims.
“It’s vital for crime victims to remain connected to law enforcement throughout the criminal justice process,” said Stacey Dallas Woodard, MPD victim advocate coordinator. “As a law enforcement-based victim services unit, we can make sure victims immediately receive trauma-informed care, safety planning, criminal justice support and other critical services.”
The Victims of Crime Awareness Walk takes place Friday, April 29 at 11 a.m. Participants will gather in the back of police headquarters, 2460 Government Blvd., at 10:30 a.m. and walk to Public Safety Memorial Park, 2301 Airport Blvd.
The City of Mobile Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste and Chief of Police Paul Prine will speak at the event, along with a victim of crime, Nija Hill, whose 16-year-old son was taken by gun violence.
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances. This year’s theme is “Rights, Access, Equity, for all victims.”
MOBILE POLICE DEPARTMENT