Agenda No. 5.
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
| City Council Meeting: | May 7, 2024 |
| Department: | Executive Team |
| Subject: | Workshop to Highlight Domestic Violence and related services that are managed through our Crime Victim's Liaison office through collaborative relationships with other Law Enforcement Agencies, the tri-County District Attorney's Offices, and other Non-Governmental Organizations that includes an assortment of services mandated by law and otherwise (M./Watson/S.Williams/J.Lowery) |
BACKGROUND
Schertz PD has a full-time Crime Victim's Liaison coordinator that is statutorily required to assist victims of violent crimes and is their advocate as they navigate their case through the justice system. However, we also provide these services even if the case does not involve a violent crime. Unfortunately, many of our victims of domestic violence have the most basic needs of having food and shelter. We have identified multiple programs in each county that we can resource out our citizens in need when such need exceeds the capability of the department.
Staff will be speaking about domestic violence in general terms with a segue into services we provide through our many organizations. Highlighting if the subject in need is from our city we take the lead and resource them out. Our CVL utilizes the Client Log Sheet as a reference with all victims to ensure we don’t overlook any items as our area of concerns are extensive. If the citizen if from another jurisdiction, we work with the jurisdiction to ensure the citizen is handed-off properly and not left behind (which causes even more trauma). The Thriving Hearts flyer is just one example and Heather can identify programs from Comal and Bexar County if needed. We will close with a comment that we are always looking for opportunities to improve our service delivery points for our citizens in need if anyone has any suggestions and/or questions.
Staff will be speaking about domestic violence in general terms with a segue into services we provide through our many organizations. Highlighting if the subject in need is from our city we take the lead and resource them out. Our CVL utilizes the Client Log Sheet as a reference with all victims to ensure we don’t overlook any items as our area of concerns are extensive. If the citizen if from another jurisdiction, we work with the jurisdiction to ensure the citizen is handed-off properly and not left behind (which causes even more trauma). The Thriving Hearts flyer is just one example and Heather can identify programs from Comal and Bexar County if needed. We will close with a comment that we are always looking for opportunities to improve our service delivery points for our citizens in need if anyone has any suggestions and/or questions.