Understand Your Rights as a Victim of a Crime

April 27, 2021

Last week was National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). The commemoration started in 1981 when President Ronald Reagan created the President’s Task Force, which was part of an initiative to provide medical, financial, and legal assistance to victims of crime. In addition, the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 provided dedicated advocates, lawmakers, and programs to provide an array of services to victims and their loved ones who have suffered direct or threatened physical, psychological, or financial harm.

Dealing with the stress of being a victim and navigating the criminal justice system can be an overwhelming experience, which is why it is important to seek help when it is needed. Pinellas County has many services available that can help victims get through a difficult time in their lives.

The PCSO is proud to partner with many great organizations that provide support to victims, including:

211 Tampa Bay Cares

Need assistance, but don’t know who to call or where to start? Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211 at any time and a person will help you find what you need. Not only does 211 Tampa Bay Cares provide a wealth of information on government and local charity programs and services, but it also gives emotional support and care coordination throughout your journey to recovery.

CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse)

CASA encourages victims of domestic violence to stand up to silence and reach out to get the support and assistance they need. CASA provides housing, financial assistance, counseling, and advocacy for men, women, and children who have endured abuse.

*24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 727-895-4912

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Florida

Since 1980, MADD has compassionately served more than 840,000 victims of impaired driving accidents. Not only does MADD support victims through financial assistance and support groups, but it also invites those affected by substance-impaired driving to participate in victim impact panels to help drunk and drugged driving offenders recognize the lasting and long-term effects of impaired driving.

For a full list of victims services in the Tampa Bay Area, click here.

What can you do?

Learn more about the challenges victims of crime face and identify specific needs in your community.

Volunteer with or financially support an organization that is dedicated to victims and survivors in the aftermath of crime.

Become an activist and share information on social media to educate the public about victims’ needs. The Office for Victims of Crime has resources available that you can download and use personally or professionally.

If you have been the victim of a crime, do not suffer in silence and seek out the help you need in order to overcome your struggles.

Although National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an annual event, the needs of victims of crimes are continuous and there may be a person you know, or someone in your community, who needs assistance. Call the sheriff’s office at 727-582-6200, or contact one of the organizations listed above, if you or a person you know needs assistance after becoming a victim of a crime in Pinellas County. Together, we can support victims, build trust, and engage the community to make a positive difference in the lives of our citizens.

Meet the Stars: Megan Allamong

Megan Allamong is a public safety telecommunicator in the Communications Division and dispatches deputies on emergency and non-emergency calls. She has been serving at the sheriff's office for eight years and feels her career is very rewarding because she helps citizens in the community and is a part of law enforcement's efforts to keep people safe.

You can catch all of the episodes you missed on our YouTube channel.

Please join us in remembering fallen Pinellas County law enforcement officers on May 12th at 11 a.m. We will be posting a live video of the ceremony at the Sheriff’s Administration Building in Largo on Facebook. This year, for the first time in Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office history, the name of a deputy will be included as we remember Deputy Michael J. Magli. Click here to stay updated on the details of this virtual event.

Job Feature: Claims Analyst

The Claims Analyst works for the General Counsel and is responsible for claims intake, including creating files and analyzing property damage and bodily injury claims for the sheriff’s office. The Claims Analyst also negotiates the settlement of claims, manages files in a professional claims management program, and facilitates claim action with claimants, insurance companies, and third parties when appropriate. To learn more about this position and apply, click here.

Paint the Town Blue Event

National Police Week, which is from May 9-15, is approaching, and the FBI Tampa Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBITCAAA) is coordinating a Paint the Town Blue event to help honor local law enforcement.

Paint the Town Blue encourages citizens to light up buildings, bridges, and homes with blue lights, wear the color blue, and spread the word about how important our law enforcement officers are in our community, as well as honor the lives of the men and women who have died in the line of duty.

If you would like to join in the planning and celebration, here are four things you can do to make the week special:

Light up your business or building blue and have employees wear blue that week.
Show support to local law enforcement with notes or other acts of kindness.
Let FBITCAAA know you would like to participate and they will send you artwork or signs to display and show support.
Contact FBITCAAA by email at info@FBITCAAA.org and let them know your plans and they will add it to their calendar of events.
For more information, click here.