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Victim services reports caseload increase; VOCA funding increases and K-9 demonstrated
Summary
Grantsville's victim services staff reported rising demand and a VOCA award increase to roughly $155,526.57, funding about 53% of a lead advocate's salary and a part-time hire; police demonstrated a newly deployed K-9 trained to locate hidden electronic devices and support victim and officer needs.
Grantsville's victim services program updated the City Council on June 18, reporting rising caseloads and an increase in VOCA grant funding that staff said will help sustain current services and add part-time support.
A program representative told the council that, since January, Delia (a program advocate) assisted in 252 cases, logged 79 hours of court appearances and provided 378 direct services to victims. Staff said the city was approved to receive VOCA funding for the next two fiscal years with a 29.34% increase (from roughly $120,238 to $155,526.57 as reported in the meeting), which will fund about 53% of Delia's salary and related fringes and permit hiring a part-time person for 10–20 hours a week.
"We were fortunate to have received... an increase... 29.34 increase, from $1.22 38 to $155,526.57," the presenter said during the VOCA update. Staff said they had requested $188,000 but received a smaller award; they plan to work with HR and the city manager to bring the part-time position on board and to monitor caseloads that could warrant a full-time position in the future.
During the same portion of the agenda the police introduced a newly deployed K-9 trained to detect electronic devices, memory cards and trackers. The handler demonstrated the dog's ability to find SD cards and other hidden items in a short live demonstration and said the K-9 will also support victim advocacy, investigations and officer safety.
Council thanked staff and emphasized the need to monitor rising stalking and domestic-violence cases, identify how the part-time position will be funded and ensure the public receives information about services and how to seek help.
