April 9, 2003
Albany-- Past victims and law enforcement came together to show the importance of services to help the victims of crime.
Joan Ihan pins a ribbon on Victims Rights wreath. It's for her mother, Gwen Castleberry, who was murdered in a robbery at her Mitchell County Store in 1993.
Joan says the family of crime victims need help. "They are remembered. It's good to come for this remembrance. It's good to come be among people who have gone through the same things we have all gone through."
The wreath presentation in Albany was to honor crime victims, and to make sure help is provided to the victims of future crimes.
Dougherty D.A. Ken Hodges said, "The victims are the reason we need legislation in place, to make sure those who perpetrate crimes are adequately punished, and the community is safe."
Service providers held a silent walk through downtown, honoring past crime victims, and letting people know they are there to help. Joan Ihan says it's the right thing to do. "It's never over. It's never ending. There are always paroles in the future. It's a little healing along the way."
Albany church bells rang at noon, to close the victim rights wreath presentation, but National Victims Rights Week continues. The crime rate declined in 2001, but still more than 24 million people were victims of violent or property crime.
posted at 4:10PM by dave.miller@walb.com
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