Agenda Item # 5
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
11/24/2009
Agenda Report # 448
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: 2010 National Crime Victims' Right Week (NCVRW)
Community Awareness Project
INITIATED BY: District Attorney's Office - Victim Witness Assistance Program
Recommendation: Approval is requested to accept, if awarded, the 2010
National Crime Victims? Rights Week (NCVRW) Community Awareness Project (CAP)
non-matching grant from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) in the amount of
$5,000.00.
Background: During FY09, approval was granted for acceptance of the 2009
NCVRW CAP Grant and the $5,000 funds were used to greatly impact local
communities with Community Awareness Projects. The Victim-Witness Assistance
Program (VWAP) teamed up with DARE and the Columbus Lions Football team to
speak to each Muscogee County High School about the negative effects of
alcohol, the dangers of texting while driving and the many reasons to make
positive choices. A butterfly release at the Riverwalk Homicide Memorial was
held in honor of all crime victims. A daylong Resource Expo took place at the
Columbus Civic Center featuring tables displaying theirs services for the
community. Many people took advantage of the free HIV testing, dental exams,
door prizes, and much information.
Analysis: Funds from the grant will be used to raise public awareness about
crime victims? rights and services available in our community as well as the
entire Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. In order to fulfill the grant purpose of
thoroughly informing and educating, the funds will be used to create printed
educational material developed by the project coordinators. Portions will also
be used for the following events, as well as food, speaker fees, transportation
costs and advertising,
The first event to raise awareness will be directed toward high school students
in the entire Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. In order to include all 14 high
schools within the counties of Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Talbot, Taylor
and Muscogee, we will hold a Circuit Wide Safety Day in collaboration with
numerous agencies. The Columbus Police Department?s DARE Unit, Fire/EMS/Crisis
Responders, Sexual Assault Center Representatives, SADD/MADD Reps, Domestic
Violence Resource Centers and other community based organizations to present
this Safety Awareness day featuring stations where groups of students
experience hands-on educational activities.
Beginning April 1st2010, we will kick off NCVRW with our ?Soles for Souls?
events. We will ask people to bring a pair of new shoes to our office in honor
of a victim of crime. We will have cards where a note can be written if
desired. On Sunday, April 18th, the annual service will be held at the
Riverwalk Homicide Memorial and the shoes will be placed along the Riverwalk to
remember those lost to crime. After the service, the shoes will be given to
different charities that support victims of crimes. CAP funds will be used to
provide punch and cookies.
The final event will be held on Friday, April 23rd at 11:00AM when we open our
office to invite people to discover where the Victim-Witness Assistance Office
is, what services we provide, and offer them an opportunity to meet government
staff and elected officials. We will request that the Mayor read the 2010
proclamation during a brief ceremony held in the West Wing first floor lobby,
which will be followed by food being served in the VWAP conference room. CAP
funds will be used for advertisement, decorations, food, beverages and
promotional items.
Financial Considerations: The NCVRW award is a non-matching $5,000.00 grant.
Legal Considerations: Council is the authorizing authority on all grants.
Recommendations/ Actions: Approval is requested of a resolution to accept, if
awarded, a 2010 NCVRW CAP Grant Request from the Office for the Victims of
Crime in the amount of $5,000.00 for the purpose of raising awareness in the
community of Crime Victims? Rights and the services that this program provides.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VICTIM-WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO APPLY
FOR AND ACCEPT A $5,000.00 NON-MATCHING GRANT FROM THE OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF
CRIME (OVC) AND AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND BY LIKE AMOUNT.
WHEREAS, history indicates successful community outreach by the Victim-Witness
Assistance Program to the public as well as proper adherence to mandated rules
and financial requisites involving grant specifications. Should the Office for
the Victims of Crime award a NCVRW CAP Grant in the amount of $5,000,
acceptance would raise greatly raise awareness, promote Crime Victims? Rights
and increase the visibility of those attempting to help victims and fight
crime; and,
WHEREAS, the purpose of the NCVRW CAP grant is to plan and carry out several
Community Awareness Projects during April 2010 in order to raise awareness
among a variety of people regarding the importance of Crime Victims? Rights,
the meaning of VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) and how our Criminal Justice System
works; and,
WHEREAS, the main events will be a Circuit-Wide Safety Day for all
14 high schools in our Judicial Circuit held at the civic center. This
collaborative effort will unite emergency units, law enforcement departments
and resource agencies from around the counties to demonstrate and inform of
their abilities and services. A memorial service at the Homicide Victims
Memorial will be called, ?Soles for Souls.? Events will close with an open
house to welcome, thank and recognize those who work so diligently throughout
the year to compassionately care for the innocent victims of crime; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit an application and
if approved accept the 2010 NCVRW CAP (non-matching) Grant for the amount of
$5,000.00 for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit?s Victim-Witness Assistance
Program under the District Attorney?s Office in order to educate the public of
Crime Victims? Rights by holding several community awareness events and amend
the Multi-Governmental Fund be amended by the award of the grant.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _______day of _____________, 2009 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of ______members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Hunter voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_______________________________ _____________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
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