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Victim services program wins VOCA boost; police introduce new data/detection K9
Summary
Grantsville’s victim‑services program received a federal VOCA award increase that staff said covers roughly half of the primary advocate’s pay and funds a part‑time hire; police demonstrated a recently deployed detection K9 that finds cameras, SD cards and transponding devices.
City staff told the council on June 18 that Grantsville’s victim‑services program received an increase in federal VOCA funding and that the award will fund roughly 53% of the lead advocate’s wage and benefits while allowing the program to advertise a 10–20 hour per week part‑time position.
Delia (victim services) reported that since January she had assisted in 252 cases, spent 79 hours in court appearances on behalf of victims and provided 378 direct services. Staff said the VOCA award increased by 29.34% to $155,526.57 for the next two fiscal years; Delia and staff said the community is seeing increasing demand, especially for stalking cases connected to domestic violence matters, and that additional system‑based advocacy capacity will be needed as Grantsville grows.
Following the VOCA update, police presented a newly deployed detection K9 and handler and demonstrated the dog’s ability to locate small electronic items used in stalking and evidence collection — examples included thumb drives, SD cards and an AirTag‑type device placed in the meeting room for the demonstration. Officers said the dog is trained to locate devices that transmit or store data (phones, cameras, memory cards, air tags) and that the team has already used the K9 in local warrant work with the attorney general’s office.
Police and staff encouraged residents who suspect they may have tracking devices or other covert electronics to bring the vehicle or device to the police department for inspection or to request assistance; staff said the application will be promoted on social media and the police department will provide a confidential process.
No formal council action was associated with the presentations; councilmembers thanked Delia and the police for the services and asked staff to bring recruitment plans for the part‑time victim advocate position back to the council when available.
