The Victim Services Units for the Brighton Police Department and the Commerce City Police Department established separately in the late 1980’s. In 2014, the City of Brighton and Commerce City merged Victim Services Units to increase services offered to victims. This was a cooperative effort, working with staff from both municipalities, obtaining city council’s approval, and gaining support from the program’s volunteer victim advocates.
Now, in 2023, both Police Departments are partnering with the City of Fort Lupton and the Town of Lochbuie Police Departments to serve more citizens than ever before. BOVA is staffed by dedicated and highly-trained advocates who are on-call 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, to respond immediately to the scene of a crime, accident, or victim’s home at the request of a police officer. Victim advocates not only support victims through the immediate trauma, but they also provide follow-up with referral information to further aid victims and their families through the healing process.
The City of Fort Lupton and the Town of Lochbie are making a financial contribution to the victim services budget that will allow for the hiring of an additional full-time Victim Advocate Specialist, however, these services are not possible without volunteers. Volunteers provide on-scene contact with victims and witnesses of violent crime, sudden death, and other emergency situations. They provide immediate crisis intervention, individual and family support, information about the criminal justice system, support agency referral, aid in acquiring emergency shelter, and facilitate other immediate needs of victims.
For more information about becoming a BOVA Volunteer Victim Advocate, visit www.brightonco.gov/348/Become-a-Volunteer. “This is a great opportunity for anyone looking for a way to give back to the community and provide an invaluable service to those in need,” said Kim Messina, Victim Services Manager.
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