Shelby County Government
July 27, 2009
Ms. Deborah Clubb
Memphis Area Women's Council
SUBJECT: Victims of Crime Advisory League (VOCAL)
Dear Ms. Clubb:
Crime and victimization continues to be a major concern for citizens in Memphis and Shelby County. The concerns are three-fold. Citizens are concerned about public safety, they are concerned about the costs of criminal justice and they are concerned about the limited attention given to victims issues. At a recent Memphis Shelby Crime Commission meeting it was reported that the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reported 5,314 violent crimes and 24,606 property crimes from January through June 2009. Despite controversies over crime rates and reporting there is widespread agreement that crime and public safety is a major issue for our citizens.
Citizens are also concerned about the costs of criminal justice. Shelby County funds courts, jails, prisons, law enforcement, prosecution, criminal defense, re-entry programs, rehabilitation, and victims’ services programs. In all, criminal justice related activities consumed over 25% of the budget of Shelby County Government in 2008-2009.
Shelby County is committed to giving victims a greater voice in our justice system. Given the size and breadth of our system it is difficult to insure the voice of the victim is consistently heard. To that end I have issued an Executive Order creating an advisory group to be known as the Victims of Crime Advisory League (VOCAL). VOCAL will be comprised of a group of citizens and officials designed to provide systematic advice on victims’ issues and concerns to Shelby County Government and leaders working with the criminal justice system.
VOCAL will initially be comprised of a group of 18-20 members. The initial charge to the group will be to provide advice and suggestions to the team working on the transition of the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center (MSARC) from a City to a County agency. The transition team will meet with VOCAL at whatever frequency is deemed necessary to insure the victim’s voice is adequately heard in constructing this vision.
In the long term VOCAL will be asked to develop a process for identifying victims’ issues and providing input to County Government and the criminal justice system as to how best to address those concerns.
You have been identified as an important community leader in victims’ issues. I am asking you to serve as a member of VOCAL and assist us in designing a long term vision for MSARC and to assist Shelby County Government improve victims’ services.
I certain appreciate your long time interest in victims’ issues and hope that you will join us in this exciting opportunity to make our system more responsive for crime victims in our community.
Sincerely,
A C Wharton, Jr.
Shelby County Mayor
