Community

Pinal County observes national crime victims’ this week

Apr 19, 2010

Pinal County will observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with several events taking place through Saturday, April 24.

“This year’s theme is ‘Fairness, Dignity, Respect,’ and it reflects the ideals that inspired the movement for victims’ rights,” said James P. Walsh, Pinal County attorney. “My office and our community will stand in support of those harmed by crime.”

The Pinal County Attorney’s Office and non-profit organizations throughout the county are sponsoring events to promote awareness and inform residents of their rights. Some of the free events include:

● Ice cream social, Tuesday, April 20 from 4 to 6 p.m., Boys’ & Girls Club, 798 N. Picacho. Ave., Casa Grande.
● Ice cream social, Wednesday, April 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., in front of the Pinal County Superior Courthouse in Florence.
● “The Water Encounter” (Working Actively Toward Educating Respect, Dignity & Fairness for Victims), 1 to 4 p.m., Casa Grande Food Bank, 235 E 4th St.
● Ice cream social, Thursday, April 22, from 4 to 6 p.m., Seeds of Hope, 525 W. Melrose Drive,, Casa Grande.
● Memorial Walk, April 23, from noon to 1 p.m., in Maricopa Ak-Chin Community (meet at EPA Building on Farrell Rd.), Maricopa.
● MADD guest speaker and lunch, Friday, April 23, from 1 to 2 p.m., Ak-Chin Community Service
Building, 48227 W. Farrell Rd., Maricopa.
● A candlelight vigil and walkathon, Friday, April 23, from 4 to 7 p.m., in front of the Harkins Theatre at the Promenade Shopping Center, Casa Grande.

Recognition of victims’ rights has progressed dramatically since the 1980s. All states and the federal government have comprehensive victims’ rights laws and 33 states, including Arizona, have constitutional amendments to protect victims’ rights. The federal “Justice for All Act” of 2004 and specific Arizona laws also protect victims.

“I am very proud of the hard and often painful work the County Attorney’s Victims’ Services Unit does,” Walsh said. “Crime victims need the advocacy and notification we provide.”

For more information, click here.

Submitted photo