INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Victims’ Rights Week actually began on Saturday with a benefit poker run called “Ride for Rights,” but the official ceremony kicking off a week of awareness and solemn remembrance of victims of crime happened at noon Monday on the steps of the Indian River County Courthouse.
County Commission Chairman Wesley Davis read a Proclamation that was approved by the Board for the occasion, listing off all the reasons why sticking up for the rights of victims, especially victims of violent crime, is so important, concluding with, “the Board honors crime victims and those who serve them.”
The local commemoration coincides with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week being marked in communities all over the United States.
Victims’ Rights Week events are being coordinated by the 19th Judicial Circuit Victims’ Rights Coalition. Spearheading the awareness effort with staff from various local agencies is Vero Beach resident Paul Zelno, whose wife was killed by a drunk driver.
The tragic experience led Zelno to take up the cause.
Zelno said the Victims’ Rights Coalition is made up of volunteers who work on conjunction with law enforcement and the court system to provide direct services to victims and their families in their time of need. The coalition has a memorial courtyard at the southeast corner of the courthouse.
“The money that we get comes from those who pay court-ordered fines, like the $25 fines from DUIs and that goes back to victims,” Zelno said.
The funds provide emergency housing and necessities to those whose lives are shattered by crime.
Shirley Roseman has worked for the past eight years as a victim assistance coordinator with the Sheriff’s Office. She experienced the aid of dedicated volunteers in 2003 when her daughter was injured in a school bus accident where one child was killed.
Roseman said those touched by crime come back into touch with victim advocates at the annual vigil scheduled for Thursday evening.
“Mr. (State Attorney Bruce) Colton will read off all the names. That’s where we get most of our family participation, at the vigil,” she said. “It’s somewhat somber, but it’s uplifting to the families that someone remembers your loved one.”
Formal efforts to organize to better advocate for victims began in 1981. Doris Tropf got involved after her 19-year-old daughter Lynnette was killed by a drunk driver. She joined the Victim Impact Panel and was part of a group pulled together by the State Attorney at the time, and she’s been active ever since.
“It’s important to victims and their families not to think they’re just thrown into the mix,” Tropf said. “
“We have wonderful people in law enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office. Indian River County is known for the support we get; it’s phenomenal,” Tropf said. “They really are our shield, but because they deal with violent crime the way they do, they know that no one is immune.”
In attendance from the law enforcement community were Sheriff Deryl Loar and Undersheriff Bud Spencer representing the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Chief David Currey and Capt. Kevin Martin of the Vero Beach Police Department and Indian River Shores Public Safety Chief Rich Rosell.
Events this week in Indian River County:
• Tuesday – Women’s Practical Self Defense Class 6 to 9 p.m. at the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, 4055 41st Ave. Vero Beach, FL 32960. Class is free, but pre-registration is required. Call Shirley Rosemond at (772)473-4948 or Julie Stoyka at (772) 462-1383.
• Thursday – Annual Memorial Vigil, 7 p.m. on Memorial Island at Riverside Park, 350 Dahlia Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey is slated as keynote speaker.
• Friday – Appreciation Luncheon, noon, location TBA. Tickets $25 per person.
• For more information contact Lane Frye at (772) 462-1390 or Wendy Holcombe at (772) 878-1131.
