April is Crime Victims’ Rights Awareness Month in San Luis Obispo
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - A crime victims' advocacy event took place today at the Katcho Achadjian government center in downtown San Luis Obispo.
SLO county district attorney Dan Dow, law enforcement, homeless advocates, and members of the public gathered to raise awareness about the types of services available for victims of crime.
"It's a chance for us to tell the community about the impact of crime on victims or survivors of crime in San Luis Obispo County. Joining a national effort,” say San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow.
CAPSLO identified a wide array of services, including programs for children, home repairs for senior citizens, tattoo removal, and more.
“A crime victim, is often an individual, but every one of those crimes also affects their family, their immediate family, their children, their their spouse, their loved one, their significant other,” says D.A. Dow.
The list doesn't end there. law enforcement can also suffer after serious crimes.
“Quite often, law enforcement officers aren't looked at as being victims. And unfortunately, sometimes in doing the duties of our job, we are main victims, whether that's physically or emotionally,” says senior deputy probation officer Amanda Bird.
Dow took aim at proposition 47, which reclassified some nonviolent felonies as misdemeanors.
“We also have a significant effect of crime on our business and economic climate in California since 2014, when Prop 47 was passed,” says D.A. Dow.
Senior probation officer Amanda Rich shared her experience of being stalked and says she is grateful for supportive services.
“I do appreciate the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office, I've received a ton of support from victim witness. And it’s an honor to be here today,” says officer Bird.
Officials say crime victims should be aware there are support services that go beyond filing a police report and hoping the criminal gets caught.
“We have 108 public servants that care very deeply about you and I in this community. And they work hard to support victims and hold offenders accountable,” says Dow.
