LE’CARES Victim Assistance Program

What is LE’CARES

The St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office LE’CARES (Law Enforcement Cares About Rendering Empathy Safely) has been developed to serve the citizens of St. James Parish who have been a victim of a crime by: Giving information to the victims about Sheriff’s Office services, and also about services offered by other organizations or agencies, e.g., counseling, medical attention, Crime Victims Reparations and victim advocacy.

The St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office LE’CARES has also been developed to provide resources to families of individuals struggling with mental illness and substance abuse.

Call LE’CARES if:
You have any questions about what to expect in court or any other matter in regards to your case, no matter how unimportant you may think it is.
You have any questions about victim’s compensation for personal injuries.
You need someone to speak to your employer on your behalf to allow your appearance as a witness.
You move or change your telephone number.
You have questions about your safety and protection.
You need help getting connected to resources.
You simply just need someone to talk to.

No one has the right to hit, slap, punch, or hurt you in any way. This is a crime.

There are several ways you can get protection and help.

If you are in need of LE’CARE assistance, please contact Sergeant Ebony B. White, MSW at (225) 562-2808 or Email

Crime Victims Reparations

ACT 250 Of 1982 ———R.S. 46:1801-1822
Effective July 1982, the State of Louisiana established a program to provide for the payment of compensation for victims of certain crimes. The law, known as the Crime Victims Reparations Act,
created the Crime Victims Reparations Fund. The board administers the provisions of the Act and awards payments from the Fund.

Eligibility to apply for awards
You may apply if you believe you are a crime victim, you are the victim’s legal representative (his attorney or the person legally responsible for the expenses), or you are the victim’s dependent. The crime must have involved the use of force or threat of use of force and result in personal injury, death, or catastrophic property loss (arson), certain vehicular crimes qualify.

Reimbursable expenses
For personal injury: medical, hospital, nursing, physical therapy, psychiatric care, or counseling are covered. Actual loss of past earnings because of a disability resulting from the personal injury are covered. Care of children to enable a victim or the spouse, but not both, to engage in gainful employment.

As a consequence of death: Care of a child or children enabling the surviving spouse or legal custodian of deceased victim’s children to engage in lawful employment, where that expense is not otherwise compensated for personal injury loss. Counseling or therapy for any surviving family member of the victim or any person in close relationship to such victim is covered. Funeral, burial, or cremation expenses are covered. Loss of support to one or more dependents not otherwise compensated for personal injury loss.

To Apply, please contact LE’CARES or
Crime Victims Reparations Board
1885 Wooddale Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 342-1749 or (888) 6-VICTIM (in state only)

Louisiana Victims Notification Program Victims have the right to know…

LSA-R.S. 15:1229 created Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS) within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE). The statute requires the LCLE to set up a system that will permit crime victims and their families to obtain information pertaining to the custody status of the perpetrator of the offense committed against them. The described information is to be provided automatically via computerized data collection and notification, and through direct inquiry by the victim and/or their family.

St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office is presently on-line with the LAVNS system and is currently supplying booking information to Vine Link. A toll free number 1-866-528-6748 is available to call the LAVNS hotline directly from any touch-tone phone, to locate an offender in a parish jail, state prison, or to register for notification. If you have internet access, you can click here. If you need assistance with registration or have any questions, call 225 562-2221, or send  email here.

LAVNS will automatically collect offender transaction data from the state’s sixty-four (64) parish jail systems, the state Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association (LDAA) at regular intervals on a seven days per week, twenty-four hours a day, three hundred sixty-five days a year basis (7/24/365 basis). Data collected by LAVNS will include offender transactions from the parish jails and the DOC, as well as court offender transaction data reported by the LDAA. Offender transactions are defined as any and all intake, bookings, transfers, releases, escapes, and deaths that occur in the parish jail systems and the DOC.

The collected data will be stored in a central database, and will be made available to victims and the general public on a call-in basis or by accessing the LAVNS website. Automatic notification will be made to those individuals registering to receive notification on a transaction involving a particular offender. Those individuals registering to automatically be notified of a transaction involving the offender for whom they registered will also be issued a Personal Identification Number (PIN) whereby they can readily access information on the offender by simply dialing in LAVNS. An Internet web site will also be established where users could go to access the information by use of their PIN.

LAVNS will communicate with the general public and registered users in English, Spanish, French, and Vietnamese. A call center will be maintained on a 7 /24 /365 basis whereby the general public and registered users may call in and speak with an operator to receive the needed data, rather than receive offender data via interaction with the computer database alone.

 

Victim Assistance Services

Shelters

Metro (504) 837-5400
The Haven, Inc (800) 915-0045
Louisiana Domestic Violence Hotline 1-888-411-1333
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
The Haven Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1-800-777-8868

FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions

How do I participate in the LAVNS Program?
To locate an offender in a parish jail, state prison, or to register for notification, call the LAVNS hotline directly from a touch-tone phone toll free @  1-866-528-6748 , or internet at VineLink.com
 
Once connected, follow the prompts given the LAVNS system,  During registration you will be asked to provide a telephone number and a four-digit PIN.  LAVNS is available in English, French, Spanish, and Vietnamese.  Offenders housed in a municipal jail facility may not be included in the LAVNS database.

What is a PIN?
The PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a four-digit number chosen by you.  Your PIN is used to confirm receipt of notification calls from LAVNS.  Choose a number that is easy for you to remember and write it down.

What if I’m not at home or my phone is busy when LAVNS calls?
LAVNS is designed to allow every opportunity for you to be notified.  If there is no answer or the line is busy, LAVNS will continue to call for 24 hours or until the PIN is entered.

Can I register more that one telephone number with LAVNS?
Yes, but each registration must be done separately and requires a PIN.  You may use the same PIN for several registrations.

Does LAVNS ensure my safety?
LAVNS is designed to provide you with quick and easy access to offender information and to assist you in preparing for an offender’s release.  DO NOT depend solely on LAVNS or any other program for your safety.

Who sponsors LAVNS?
LAVNS is provided by the Office of the governor, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and participating law enforcement agencies within Louisiana