Lauderhill Police Department (PD) continue to reduce crime, and support
victims of crime.
Police Chief Constance Stanley indicated Major Hennessy would provide the
details, as he oversaw the PD’s grant activities.
Major David Hennessy explained the subject grant was an ongoing grant the PD
received from the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in Tallahassee. A portion of
the grant funded the hiring of civilian employees through victims’ services, and
victims’ advocates; the PD reached out to the victim of every violent crime,
specifically domestic violence, and the majority of victims of property crimes.
They were offered victims’ services, both through the PD, and the State
Attorney’s Office. He stated the majority of the subject grant funding was used
for victim advocates’ salary, though a small portion of the funding was used for
supplies, equipment, etc.; it was an ongoing grant the City received over the last
several years, and the PD anticipated continuing to receive the grant in the
years to come.
Commissioner Dunn wished to know what a victim’s advocate did, and how did
it support the City’s commitment to violence prevention.
Major Hennessy responded the funding allowed the PD to take a holistic
approach to addressing the victims of crime; it was not just about arresting
perpetrators, though this was a priority of law enforcement, but the PD wished
to do all it could to make the victims whole, and support them through the
prosecution process if, for example, they needed to testify, and/or go to court.
The civilian employees were specially trained to make that contact with victims
to offer more services through other partnerships through the City and Broward
County.
Commissioner Dunn sought confirmation that, along with help with preparing to
testify, the specially trained civilian employees offered trauma response care,
counseling, help with filing a restraining order, accessing resources, such as
housing, transportation, etc.; thus, they provided support to families in need of
help to navigate a very challenging circumstance.
Major Hennessy answered absolutely;
a
lot of what the subject civilian
employees did was work with such organizations as Women in Distress, help
them find temporary, and, then later, permanent housing for women trying to get
away from domestic violence.
They helped with accessing funding for victim
assistance from the State, should they, for example, need to relocate.
Commissioner Dunn commented the subject item really demonstrated that in
the City of Lauderhill, the City was not only committed to strict policing, but that
the PD took an approach of wraparound support for families who were victims
of crime. She thought the Lauderhill PD did a very good job of finding outside
resources, as the City lacked the budget to fund all the needed initiatives to help
victims. She commended Chief Stanley and her staff for their efforts.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor L. Martin, seconded by Commissioner M.
Dunn, that this Resolution be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
3 - Commissioner M. Dunn, Vice Mayor L. Martin, and Mayor K. Thurston
2 - Commissioner D. Grant, and Commissioner S. Martin
Yes:
Absent:
