HOUSE MEMORIAL 61

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Jim R. Trujillo

A MEMORIAL

SUPPORTING THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA FE AND THE CITY OF SANTA FE TO CREATE A VICTIMS OF CRIME ASSISTANCE OFFICE WITHIN THE SANTA FE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

     WHEREAS, in September 2004, the county of Santa Fe submitted a proposal to the United States department of justice, office for victims of crime, to request funding for the creation of a victims of crime assistance office for the county of Santa Fe; and

     WHEREAS, although the funding request was denied, the county of Santa Fe nevertheless remains committed to finding the means to address the critical need of assisting victims of crime and, to that purpose, resolves to create a victims of crime assistance office in the Santa Fe county sheriff's department; and

     WHEREAS, in creating this office, the county of Santa Fe will work to collaborate with neighboring communities, municipalities, counties and pueblos to develop a regional victims of crime awareness and assistance program; and

     WHEREAS, if created, this program will be the first in the state of New Mexico to provide on a full-time basis assistance to victims of crime at a local and regional level; and

     WHEREAS, services to be provided under the victims of crime assistance office will include: crisis intervention, twenty-four-hour victim assistance and support, counseling referrals, telephone outreach, court advocacy and escort, victim impact statements, crime victim compensation assistance, educational programs for schools and community groups and community resource assistance; and

     WHEREAS, bilingual services will also be provided to victims of homicide, involuntary manslaughter, adult sexual assault, adults molested as children, child sexual and physical abuse, elder abuse, robbery, aggravated assault, domestic violence, stalking, burglary, drunk driving and hate crimes; and

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the joint efforts of the county of Santa Fe and the city of Santa Fe to create and manage a victims of crime assistance office in the Santa Fe county sheriff's department be supported; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the county manager and the county commissioners of the county of Santa Fe, the Santa Fe county sheriffs's department and the mayor, city manager and city councilors of the city of Santa Fe.

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