Mesquite kicks off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

By BRIAN CORNETT

The Progress

The weeklong celebration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Mesquite kicked off with a special opening ceremonies on Monday, April 19 at the Mesquite Welcome Center.

Display tables were decorated with variously colored ribbons, each color denoting victims of a different type of crime. Attendees were welcome to choose a ribbon, write a victim’s name on it and post it on a special bulletin board to commemorate the incident and show solidarity and support to the victim.

These ribbons and the public post board will be available all week this week at the Visitor’s Center. Victim Advocates will be on hand there to assist any from the public who wish to post a new ribbon and and also to explain the Advocacy Program and what it does for victims of crime in the community.

Monday’s ceremony was highlighted by a keynote talk presented by Kathleen Bienenstein, Program Coordinator for Nevada Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization.

Ms. Bienenstein emphasized the need for the Advocacy Program. She praised the help that the advocates offer to local crime victims who need assistance.

A number of individuals and businesses were recognized with certificates for their ongoing support to the Mesquite Victims’ Advocacy program. This included a range of support from monetary and supply donations, to assistance in fundraising efforts, to direct support and services assistance to victims.

“Last year we received tremendous support to the program,” said City Attorney’s Office Administrator Michelle Reber. “Anytime we gave a callout for support from the community, people responded and helped us out. It has been nice!”

Community contributions to the program, both cash donations and in-kind support, is estimated to have totalled around $10,000 in the year 2020 alone, said Reber.

Those honored at the ceremony included Virgin Valley Artists Association, Mesquite Rotary Club, Glen Horlacher, MFT, Harmony Haven Counseling Services, Arthur Zukerman, Mesquite Gaming, Eureka Casino Resort, Rising Star Sports Ranch Resort, Harris Dentistry, Dr. Ann Rice, Karen Fielding, Primex Plastics Corporation, Justin Ludvigson, Mesquite Women’s History and Culture Center, Salvation Army of Mesquite, Virgin Valley Family Services, Amy Davis, HELP of Southern Nevada, Mesquite Ford Lincoln and RV, The Front Porch Flowers and Gifts and Reliance Connects.

“I would like to note that these are not the only community members and businesses who have supported our program,” Reber said. “We have had many others. But these have provided ongoing assistance and support over the past year.”

The Welcome Center will be the focal point for Mesquite acitivities for Nevada Crime Victims’ Rights Week during the remainder of this week.

More is planned for the week’s activities. As part of the celebration, it is hoped that residents and businesses in the Mesquite community would get into the spirit of the occasion and decorate their homes and vehicles with appropriately colored ribbons this week. Photos of these decorations can be submitted to the Victim’s Advocacy office for a chance to win a drawing for various prizes.

“We haven’t seen a lot of involvement from the community yet this week,” Reber said. “But we are hoping that people will get the word and that it will catch on.

To enter this community contest, photos of the decorations may be submitted to advocate@mesquitenv.gov. The winners of prizes will be chosen next week in a series of random drawings.