Nassau County Executive Laura Curran signed legislation to create an initiative that will aid in the protection of victims and witnesses of crimes as well as assisting them with navigating their cases, according to county officials.
The legislation, signed by Curran on Tuesday, will create the Office of Crime Victim Advocate.
This new department was implemented to provide legal services to people affected by crimes and would be impacted by new disclosure requirements that are a part of the state justice reforms that will be introduced on Jan. 1.
“The new Office of Crime Victim Advocate will offer legal assistance and support to victims and witnesses who may be affected under the new law,” Curran said. “We have taken great measures to protect anyone who may be affected by these new reforms, ensuring no one in Nassau will be left vulnerable at the county level.”
According to Curran, the new office will have an annual budget of $890,000 along with an executive director which will be appointed by county officials.
Specifically, the office will provide legal aid to any victims or witnesses related to crimes, assist victims in submitting comments to court and parole boards, and coordinate with the county’s district attorney office.
Curran said that safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to establishing crime prevention measures ahead of the new year.
“Crime is at historic lows and the continued safety of our residents is my top priority,” she said. “These new untested criminal justice reforms go into effect next week and I have our residents’ best interest in mind while we transition to these new procedures.”
Under the new bail reform laws, an estimated 175 inmates facing misdemeanors and non-violent felonies that are awaiting trial at the county jail will be eligible for release, according to the county executive’s office.
Curran and Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder detailed measures that will be taken to ensure residential safety during a Dec. 17 press conference.
“Earlier this year, I directed agencies to prepare for the safe and orderly transition to the new criminal justice procedures,” Curran said. “The sheriff’s department will have the necessary staffing levels in place to facilitate a higher-than-average number of discharges on December 31st of this year.”
“As they go on one side of the fence, it’s controlled by the sheriff’s department,” Ryder said in regards to the containment of inmates. “When they come out on the other side of the fence, that’s the police department’s responsibility. If you stay on the good side of the law, you’re going to stay out of the back of a police car.”
Curran said that the county will add more NICE buses, increase police patrol, and have temporary housing available for up to 20 percent of released inmates on Dec. 31.
She said a plan is in place to double the number of NICE buses to control family pickup in the jail’s parking lot along Carman Avenue in East Meadow.
“This newly enacted bill will assist with coordination with the police department and district attorney’s office, which will help protect the rights of our victims and witnesses,” Ryder said. “We will continue this effort as it is extremely important to have their cooperation and that they individually feel their rights are protected as we move forward in court proceedings.”
