Victim's Assistance

History:
The Las Cruces Police Department Victim Assistance Program was first established in September, 1993 under the VOCA (Victim’s of Crime Act) Grant.  It was the first police-based victim assistance program in the State of New Mexico. It was considered a pilot program until 1997 when it became a model for the state.

In 1998 the Program was integrated with the Department and became known as the Victim Assistance Unit.  Over the years the Unit continued to grow and in 2005, the existing Unit received funding from both VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) and the City of Las Cruces to build the offices that the Unit is presently housed in.

During this period, it was decided that some of these funds would be used to establish a satellite office and through the original steering committee that developed the Weed and Seed Program and collaboration with Families and Youth, Inc., the decision was made to place the first paid advocate in a satellite office at the designated Weed & Seed Site, within the A. Fielder Memorial Safe Haven.

Mission:
The mission of the Las Cruces Police Department Victim Assistance Unit is to provide the community residents with:

• An array of comprehensive services as needed,
• Collaboration with other community agencies,
• Provide victims of crime with crisis intervention at the time the call for assistance to a police officer occurs,
• Financial assistance through the New Mexico Crime Victim’s Reparation Commission; and
• Guidance through the steps of the Criminal Justice System.

The main office for the Victim Assistance Unit is located at the Las Cruces Police Department, 217 E. Picacho Street, Phone: 575-528-4111 and the satellite office is located at 906 N. Tornillo Street, Phone: 575-528-4265.