National Night Out: Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships
By The Elk Grove Police Department
Since 1984, National Night Out has been an annual
community-building campaign promoting police-community partnerships. In most
states, National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday in August and consists
of block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and much more. The goal of
National Night Out is to strengthen relationships between neighbors and law
enforcement and provide an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together
under positive circumstances. Law enforcement agencies like the Elk Grove
Police Department, understand that stronger relationships with the community
help to create safer lives for us all.
Elk Grove Police Department has taken an innovative approach
to improving thing in their city. In January 2014, the City of Elk Grove
received a grant from the Office on Violence Against Women to fund a full-time
advocate position. The city partnered with WEAVE to provide victim services to
individuals in Elk Grove. The advocate assists victims/survivors of domestic
violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Clients can receive crisis counseling,
emotional support, long-term or short-term case management, accompaniment,
advocacy and connections to other community resources, such as CalVCB.
The advocate provides training to professionals in the community including EGPD
officers. They also ride along with officers and are called out to scenes after
a domestic violence incident. The advocate wants each client to know there are
resources available and they can receive support when they are ready.
Law enforcement agencies play a vital role in connecting
victims to services like CalVCB. Law enforcement officials are often there
during some of the worst times in a victim’s life and want to make sure that
victims can get the help that they need. By referring victims and loved ones to
CalVCB, law enforcement officials can help
them access lifesaving services such as relocation, mental health
benefits and more.
The California Victim Compensation Board is dedicated to providing financial assistance for many crime-related expenses. Victims who suffer physical injury, threat of physical injury or emotional injury as a direct result of a violent crime may qualify for assistance. To learn more visit: https://victims.ca.gov/.