Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS, NY — Crime victims will now be able to receive a text message if there are any changes in the custody status of offenders in a county correctional facility across the state, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office said.
The New York Sheriffs’ Victim Information Notification Everyday hotline allows crime victims to check on the status of offenders at any time by phone or online. The new option, “SMS Text Messaging Notification,” adds text messaging to the options available to victims. Text messages will be in Spanish and English, the Sheriff’s Office said.
“Crime victims need and want timely and accurate offender information to proactively ensure their personal safety and that of their families,” said Sheriff James R. Voutour. “I applaud the addition of texting and predict crime victims will embrace this new technology.”
In 2014, almost 2.8 million crime victims searched the VINE Database, using either the toll free number, 1-888-VINE-4-NY, the VINEMobile app, the Sheriff’s Mobile Patrol App, which is available for IPhone and Android, or VineLink.com, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Over 100,000 crime victims also received notification of a change in their offender’s status either by phone or email in 2014.
It is anticipated that the addition of the text messaging option will result in even more crime victims receiving timely notification of vital offender information.
“I welcome this new feature as my office continues to seek ways to better serve the public safety needs of the citizens of Niagara County,” Voutour said.