Victim Assistance

The Greeley Police Department, in cooperation with the departments of Ault, Eaton, Evans, Garden City, Johnstown, Kersey, LaSalle, Milliken, Nunn, Severance, Platteville, and Windsor provides aid to innocent persons who suffer physical, emotional or financial loss as a result of a crime or non-criminal stark misfortune. The unit is staffed by full-time, part-time, and highly trained volunteer advocates. Advocates serve these communities by providing a comprehensive victim-centered approach through on-scene crisis response and follow-up services.

Victims of the crimes specified within the Victim’s Rights Act C.R.S.24-4.1-301 have the right to:

• Be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect
• Be informed about what steps can be taken if he or she is subjected to intimidation or harassment Information on all charges filed
• Notification of any change in the status of the accused Input into decisions regarding plea bargains, sentencing and parole hearings
• Restitution or civil remedy
• Release of property after the case is settled and it is no longer needed as evidence
• Employer intercession
• Notification of all case dispositions
• Timely notification of all court dates
• Instruction on community resources and other information that will assist recovery

After conviction of a crime against a victim, and upon written request from the victim, your state or local correctional authorities will notify the victim of:

• The institution where the person is incarcerated or otherwise being held
• The projected release date of the person
• Any release of the person, including furlough, work release, or community corrections in advance of release
• Scheduled parole hearings for the person and any changes in hearing schedules
• Any escape of the person from a correctional facility or program
• Any release or discharge from confinement of the person and conditions of that release
• The death of the person while in a correctional facility or program

In addition, upon request of the victim, correctional officials will keep confidential the victim’s or immediate family’s addresses, phone numbers, places of employment, or other personal information.

If all local efforts to obtain rights have failed, a victim may request assistance from the Victim’s Compensation and Assistance Coordinating Committee. For additional information, call the Office for Victim’s Programs at the Division of Criminal Justice 303-239-4442 or 1-888-282-1080, toll free.

As a victim of one of the crimes specified in the Victim’s Rights Act you may be entitled to the following services:

• Immediate crisis intervention and follow-up support
• Special services for juvenile, elderly or disabled victims
• Referral to public and private individuals and organizations providing
• Medical and other emergency services
• Mental health and social services
• Financial assistance
• Translation services Intervention with creditors, landlords and employers Legal resources
• Rehabilitative services
• Transportation and childcare services Information about obtaining public records, including police reports Information about protective orders
• Other support services

Temporary restraining orders may be obtained by contacting the Family Court Clerk’s Office located in the Centennial Center 915 10th St., 351-7300 x4320. Assistance may be requested by calling GPD Victim Assistance Phone Number 970-351-5345. A restraining order produced by a private attorney is always an additional option. Modification of Protective Orders are done only by contacting the courts at the above address.

The DA Victim/Witness office will assist with forwarding any specific requests related to your victimization to the D.A. for their consideration.

Intimidation, harassment, and stalking are crimes and should be reported to local police. If you are in danger at any time, call 911.

If you or a member of your family has been injured as a result of a crime, you may be eligible for compensation for financial loss. The Victim Compensation Board may award for:

• Medical and Hospital expenses
• Outpatient care
• Counseling
• Loss of medically necessary devices, such as eyeglasses or hearing aids
• Burial expenses
• Loss of earnings
• Loss of support to dependents Repair of residential doors, windows or other security devices

To see if you qualify for Victim Compensation visit the Weld County District Attorney website

The initial shock following a crime, sudden death, or other trauma is a harsh and painful reality for everyone involved. As individuals we often react in many different ways when faced with crisis. Some common reactions may include:

• Shock, disbelief, numbness Anxiety, panicky feelings
• Feeling “lost” or difficulty concentrating Irritability, tearfulness, or anger
• Blaming, self-doubt, guilt
• Sleeping disturbances, loss of appetite
• Flashbacks, unwanted memories
• Depression or sadness
• Withdrawal or isolation
• Relationship problems
• Unexplained physical pain

After some time has passed, it is possible to experience a full life after a crime or tragedy. As most people work through their feelings about the event, they begin to accept that they did the best they could under the circumstances and have renewed energy to focus on their lives again.

Through the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA) of 2000, Congress created the U Visa (U non-immigrant classification) to provide legal status to victims of specified crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal act. The U Visa provides eligible crime victims with nonimmigrant status the ability to temporarily remain in the United States while assisting law enforcement. Who is eligible for a U Visa? The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may find an applicant eligible for a U Visa if the applicant:

• Is the direct or indirect victim of qualifying criminal activity.
• Has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity.
• Has been helpful, is helpful, or is likely to be helpful to a Federal, State, or local prosecutor, to a Federal or State judge, to USCIS, or to other Federal, State, or local authorities investigating or prosecuting criminal activity; and
• The criminal activity violated the laws of the United States or occurred in the U.S. or the territories and possessions of the United States.

Additional information can be found through the USCIS website.

Greeley Police Department understands the importance of U Visas to crime victims and is dedicated to review and respond to certification requests. If you are in individual with nonimmigrant status and a victim of a qualifying criminal activity that tis investigated by the Greeley Police Department, you or your representative can  mail the form to:

2875 W. 10th Street
Greeley, Colorado 80634