Victim Assistance Program
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In 1992, the Lakeland Police Department established the Victim Assistance Program to assist crime victims and their families to regain a level of normalcy enjoyed by them prior to their tragedy, and to ensure compliance with the Florida Victim/Witness Rights laws.
The Victim Assistance Program is made up of three full-time employees, as well as many dedicated volunteers, who work along with the Chaplaincy Corps to bring service and comfort to the victims of crime.
Why Volunteer To Help Our Community?
- Develop an understanding of victim's rights.
- Assist police officers in your neighborhood and community.
- Meet and assist people in your neighborhood and community.
- Make the difference where it counts the most- in a victim's life.
- Encourage community involvement within your community.
- Extend services that otherwise may not be known.
An advocate will be there to provide emotional support, court support, assist in obtaining information about the case, and help the victim/witness in understanding how the judicial system works. They will help in filing for Victim's Compensation on behalf of those crime victims who have suffered physical injury.
In instances where the victim has to take time off from work because of injury or court proceedings, the advocate will intercede with their employer if needed. We will also assist in making referrals to other programs and social service agencies when appropriate.
Benefits Available To Victims Of Crime
The Victim Compensation Trust Fund has been established to provide financial support/cash awards for victims of crime. Assistance is provided in the area of counseling, dental/medical bills, lost wages, etc. All applications must be processed to determine eligibility. This trust fund is funded entirely by offenders and is collected annually by each Judicial Circuit in the State of Florida.
Disability - financial compensation for the victim who suffers a permanent whole body impairment or disability.
Domestic Violence - relocation benefits $1,000.00, (one time only payment). Any certified Florida Domestic Violence Center in the state can submit application to the Division of Victim Services.
Funeral/Burial - expenses for a deceased victim up to $4,000.00.
Loss of Support - financial compensation for the financial dependents of a deceased victim who was employed at the time of a crime.
Lost Wages - financial compensation for the victim who lost wages because of a crime.
Medical/Dental Treatment - reimbursement to the victim for the cost of prescriptions, eyeglasses, dentures, or a prosthetic device lost or damaged due to a criminal act.
Mental Health Counseling - reimbursement of up to $1,000.00 for adults only pertaining to forcible felony cases or life threatening situations.
Children - under 16 years of age who are emotionally/physically injured may be eligible for reimbursement up to $5,000.00 for counseling. In addition, children who witness any criminal act may qualify for counseling cost up to $1,000.00.
Elderly or Disabled Adults - may be compensated for property loss from crimes up to $500.00 if the loss results in a diminished quality of life.
The Lakeland Police Department Victim Assistance Program offers a Victim's Support Group every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. It is held at the Police Department from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Community Room. This group allows the victims of crime to come together and share their emotions.
Here are some important phone numbers to remember:
Lakeland Police Department 834-6900
Victim Assistance Program 834-6914
Polk County Courthouse 534-4000
Polk County Jail 534-6308
State Attorney's Office 534-4800
SAO Victim Assistance 534-4985
Peace River Center 519-3744 / 248-3300
Emergency Shelter:
Salvation Army 682-8179
Talbot House Ministries 687-8475
Lighthouse Ministries 687-3705
You Can Make A Difference!
Join others who are stepping forward to make a difference in their community by volunteering your time to the Victim Assistance Program. You may contact the program by calling 834-6914.
Help Us Help Our Community
Thank you for giving us a moment of your time to introduce you to the Lakeland Police Department's Victim Assistance Program. This program is made up of volunteers from our community who donate their time to assist victims of assaults, robberies, home invasions, homicide survivors, automobile accidents, etc.
A few examples of the many services that our trained volunteers provide are:- Provide emotional support to victims.
- Provide victims with transportation.
- Assist in obtaining compensation from the State of Florida for funeral expenses, medical bills, lost wages etc.
- Provide referral information to other agencies that would fill the victim's need.
- Provide court support to the victim and guide them through the criminal justice system.
- Contact family and friends at the victim's request.
The purpose of bringing awareness to our program is to let the community know that there is help available to them when they need it the most. Unfortunately, bad things will happen and most people don't realize what is accessible to them. This is a very worthwhile program with many dedicated volunteers, but we are in need of more people who can volunteer their time to helping others.
Join One Of Our Community Support Teams- Victim Support Group
- Mail-out Program
- Phone contact-Follow up program
- Call out-Response program
- Referral Program
- Victim Compensation Claim Program
- Court Support Program
Lakeland Police Department
219 North Massachusetts Avenue
Lakeland, Florida 33801
863-834-6900
E-Mail The Lakeland Police Department
Report A Crime Or Suspicious Activity
Anonymous Tips Welcome
Always Dial 9-1-1 For Emergencies
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