- February 4, 2025
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Every morning, Evelyn Rebostini goes around the Ormond Beach Police Department and says good morning to everyone she sees.
It's part of her daily routine — performed in between looking at the cases from the previous day and cleaning up after the officers in the kitchen. As the Department's victim advocate, helping people has become second nature to her. Regardless of whether she's helping a victim of a crime, or giving advice to a citizen unsure of what steps to take while dealing with a problem, Rebostini is always ready to lend a hand.
“I just do onto others like I want them to do onto me, and I treat people with respect no matter what walk of life they come from," Rebostini said.
She's also the vice president of the Victims' Services Coalition of the 7th Judicial Circuit. That helps her coordinate with all the other advocates so that she's able to refer victims to the right programs. If she doesn't know the answer to a question, she makes a phone call and finds out.
"As the Chief of Police, all of my employees deserved to be nominated! ... To clarify and not diminish what the officers do on a daily basis (put their lives on the line), the sacrifices they make (working long hours away from family) and the positive relationships they maintain in the community, any Department’s Victim Advocate requires a very special person. ... [Rebostini's] work is often unnoticed as it happens behind the scenes and behind closed doors, for the victim’s protection and privacy. ... She has a huge heart and her work is needed."
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey
Rebostini has been a victim advocate since 2004. She used to be a K-Mart manager, but she injured her back. It was through the vocational rehab program set up through her worker's compensation that she obtained her paralegal degree.
While she was studying, Rebostini kept asking her professor for volunteer opportunities, and he sent her to the state attorney's office to help in victim advocate services. Just four months later, she was offered a job. Rebostini stayed there for 11 years before coming to OBPD.
Her love of helping others carries over from her job to her daily life. When she goes through the McDonald's drive-thru, she regularly tells the clerk that she will pay for the car behind her. And as her grandson was growing up — Rebostini and her husband raised him since he was 10 — she would clean out her own pantry to bring groceries to his friends in need.
“It’s just what I do," Rebostini said.
She explained she likes to lead by example, especially with her children and eight grandchildren. Her first great-grandchild is on the way.
Rebostini also keeps in touch with victims whose family members have died as a result of a crime or traffic accident. She makes sure they receive an invitation to Halifax Health's annual National Day of Remembrance. Recently, she called a 98-year-old woman who she helped connect with resources just to wish her a Merry Christmas.
She also recognizes everyone's birthday in the Police Department. The city sends out a monthly list, and Rebostini makes sure to put a card in their mail slots about a week in advance.
“It makes me feel good to be remembered and I want them to be remembered as well," Rebostini said. "I just think it’s really important, just that little thing.”
Since she started working at the Police Department, Rebostini also upgraded the room she uses to meet with victims. Before, it had finger printing equipment in one corner and stark walls. Rebostini wanted people to feel comfortable, so she painted the room, added colorful decals to the walls and had new furniture brought in.
A basket of donated toys and blankets sits underneath a table for any children the officers come into contact with.
“I’m always thinking outside the box so that we can help, not just help people when there’s a crime, I want to help citizens in Ormond Beach," Rebostini said."I want our agency to stand out — that we’re here to help all citizens.”
