- January 15, 2025
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by: Ashleigh Taylor
Public Affairs Officer, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners acknowledged April 24-30 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Since his election in 2017, Sheriff Rick Staly has made the protection of victims’ rights a major initiative for the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. Part of this initiative included the implementation of ankle monitoring GPS systems, designed to keep domestic violence victims safe, when offenders are ordered by the judge to wear them. Staly also supported and endorsed the passage of “Marsy’s Law” which gave victims additional rights.
In 2018, the FCSO received Agency of The Year for its Domestic Violence Initiatives during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and in 2020 the FCSO received the Leadership in Victim Services Award for midsize agency by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Recently, a victim of domestic violence in Flagler County called for assistance when her long-time boyfriend made threats against her life. FCSO deputies intercepted the suspect after he drove through the night to confront her. The FCSO victim advocates were made available to the victim during this time.
“We take victims’ rights very seriously in Flagler County,” Staly said. “Our victim advocates do an amazing job comforting and supporting victims of crime in our community. These are the real heroes. While we have made terrific strides to protect victims of crime and reduce crime in Flagler County, there is still more work to be done and we won’t stop.”
Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to renew our commitment to serving all victims of crime, to acknowledge the achievements in victim services and allied professions, to honor those who have gone above and beyond in their service to others, and to remember crime victims and survivors.
For more information on National Crime Victims’ Rights Week visit https://ovc.ojp.gov/