A.G. Gancarski
Public safety is a term Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry uses often. But usually, faces and names aren’t associated with the concept, which Curry deems to be the most important function of government.
That changes next week, as Jacksonville prepares for its annual observation of Victims’ Rights Week.
Serving Victims–Building Trust–Restoring Hope is the theme this year, calling attention to what victims go through, local government’s commitment to helping on that front, and the services and programs available to assist them.
Curry, joined by State Attorney Angela Corey, Sheriff Mike Williams, and local victims of crimes and their families, will kick off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with a news conference 11:30 a.m. Monday.
Also at the news conference, former Jacksonville Jaguar Richard Collier, whose promising NFL career was ended one night a few years back, as Collier sat in his car outside a Riverside apartment complex, and a gunman shot multiple rounds into his car.
Collier must use a wheelchair, but his commitment to victims’ rights issues and stemming the tide of indiscriminate gun violence has made him a presence in the community. His stoic authority, as a survivor, is an inspiration to anyone who meets him.
Beyond the presser, there are other events in town next week to show Jacksonville’s commitment to victim rights.
Monday evening sees the Tossing of the Roses at the Jacksonville Landing, a Justice Coalition event paying tribute to homicide victims and their surviving loved ones.
Tuesday afternoon, there will be the National Crime Victims Week award luncheon, a $30 a head event at the main library to pay tribute to victims and their advocates in the law enforcement community, the judicial system, and beyond.
A candlelight vigil will be Thursday evening at Unity Plaza, and on Saturday, Families of Slain Children will hold its balloon release at 3108 N. Myrtle Ave.
