Police Department
Community Awareness
Victim Notification System
From a press release dated November 15, 1999 from Governor Mike Johanns's office:
PAPILLION - Sarpy County will begin providing a crime victim notification system known as VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday). VINE is an advanced computerized network that automatically notifies victims of crime when an offender is released from jail or prison, escapes or is transferred to another facility. VINE is scheduled to be available in all 93 Nebraska counties by the end of 1999.
"VINE is a 24 hour victim assistance hotline that has been put into place in many cities and counties across the country," said Governor Mike Johanns. "It is important that the state of Nebraska provide this valuable, potentially life saving service to all its citizens. I urge any one of you who have a concern about an offender who is in a Nebraska jail or prison to make use of this system as it becomes available in your area."
Through the VINE system, crime victims and others may request information about an offender incarcerated in any jail or prison located in Nebraska. A victim can easily access information about where and when an inmate is incarcerated by calling the toll-free national VINE hotline, open 24 hours a day. The VINE Call Center, based in Louisville, Kentucky, provides the information requested, available in both English and Spanish.
"We are pleased to introduce the VINE system in Sarpy County," said Sarpy County Sheriff Patrick Thomas. "Crime victims may live in fear of being re-victimized by an offender. Providing victims with an opportunity to monitor an inmate's whereabouts in jail or prison may give them peace of mind and a sense of regaining some control over their lives."
Allen Curtis, Executive Director of the Nebraska Crime Commission, indicated crime victims may also register with the VINE system to be notified whenever a change in the offender's incarceration occurs. VINE automatically calls the victim, with notification calls continuing every half hour for 24 hours until contact is successfully made. Following notification, the victim enters a Personalized Identification Number (PIN code) over the telephone to confirm that they have received the information.
For more information contact Allen Curtis, Nebraska Crime Commission, at 402.471.2194 or Angela Hacker, The VINE Company, at 800.816.0491.
VINE Website