Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification Enhancement

The Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) program ensures victims of crime receive accurate and timely information regarding the status of offenders and events related to the case. Through SAVIN, victims are able to participate in the judicial process and make sound decisions to protect themselves from further victimization while maintaining total anonymity. This information-sharing capability is also available to courts, corrections, and law enforcement officials. The New York State Sheriffs Association Institute, Inc. will utilize fiscal year 2007 SAVIN funding to enhance VINE-Link, the existing victim notification system in the state, to include the addition of offender photographs to online notifications. With the number of online registrations rapidly increasing, the chance for victims to make an incorrect registration is more likely, particularly when there are multiple offenders with the same name in the database. Photographs will allow victims to confirm they are registering against the correct offender. It is anticipated that approximately 50 counties across the state will link to the modified system. A governance committee comprised of multiple state and county agencies, a victim advocate, and crime victims will provide assistance with program development and implementation. CA/NCF