Victim services are available to any citizen of Longmont or to any victim of a crime or tragedy committed within the Longmont city limits.

Victim’s Bill of Rights:

Colorado is a state which has an amendment guaranteeing specific rights to victims of certain crimes. Some of those rights are as follows:

• Victims and witnesses have a right to be treated with dignity and respect.
• Victims and witnesses have a right to protection from intimidation and harm.
• Victims and witnesses have a right to be kept informed about various phases of their case, including investigation, prosecution, trial, and sentencing.
• Victims have a right to provide information and input into the criminal justice process, especially at such key points as plea bargaining, sentencing, and parole release hearings.
• Victims have a right to restitution as a condition of sentencing.
• Victims have a right to the prompt return of their property used for evidence.
• Victims have a right to notifications from officials about arrest; release of defendants; time and location of legal proceedings; time and location of trials; and continuances or delays in trial proceedings, sentencing, and parole hearings.
• Victims and families have the right to be informed about eligibility for victim compensation, where applicable, and the right to be helped in completing application forms in a timely manner when applicable.
• Victims have a right to employer intercession. (A victim cannot be fired or displaced from their job for participating in an investigation or court process.)
• Victims have a right to information about victim assistance and other community resources.
• Victims have a right to a quick and fair resolution.

Victim and Witness Reactions:

The following reactions are normal after a trauma or crisis:

• Shock and disbelief, numbness
• Having unwanted memories
• Anxiety or panicky feelings
• Feeling “lost” or “out of it”
• Irritability (near tears or anger much of the time)
• Recurring nightmares and / or sleep disturbances
• Loss of appetite
• Crying for “no reason”
• Feeling as if the trauma were happening again (flashbacks)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Losing interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Disruption of family life
• Withdrawal or isolation
• Unexplained headaches, nausea, or physical pain

For Family and Friends:

Listen carefully and spend time with the traumatized person. Do what you can to help them feel safe and remind them that their confusing emotions are normal.

Traumatized people are not comforted by statements such as, “You were lucky it wasn’t worse.” They may also feel blamed by questions like, “Why were you there?” Instead, tell them you are sorry such an event has occurred. Reassure them that it was not their fault. Ask them to help you understand how they feel and what you can do to help.

Even if you weren’t the direct victim, remember that people who care about victims often become co – victims emotionally. Find people who can listen to and support you. Ask for help when you need it.

We Provide:

Victims and witnesses often feel alone, isolated, and helpless and sometimes experience self-blame. Also, it is common that victims and witnesses find it difficult to ask for assistance. A victim advocate can assist victims and witnesses by providing the following services:

• Crisis Intervention

As experienced, active listeners, advocates can assist victims in sorting through the confusing feelings they may be experiencing. It is important that victims are reassured that their reactions are normal.

• Resources and Referral

Many resources are available in the community, and advocates can initiate contact with them. Referral information for victim compensation, counseling, and safe shelter are often provided.

• Advocacy and Practical Help

Advocates can give procedural and actual information about the accident or crime and act as liaisons with the law enforcement agency and criminal justice system.

Community Resources:

• Longmont Public Safety Victim Assistance – (303) 651-8855
• District Attorney’s Office, Victim Witness Program – (303) 441-3700
• Emergency Psychiatric Unit (Available 24hrs) – (303) 447-1665
• Heartbeat (support after suicide) – (303) 828-3325
• Hospice Care of Boulder and Broomfield Counties (grief counseling) – (303) 604-5300
• Boulder County Legal services – (303) 449-7575
• Longmont Ending Violence Initiative LEVI (303) 774-4534
• Rape Crisis (Available 24hrs) – (303) 443-7300
• Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Non-Violence SPAN (available 24hrs) – (303) 449-8623
• Safe Shelter of St Vrain Valley (303) 772-4422

If you have any questions or would like more information about Victim Assistance, please email or call (303) 651-8855.

Registering for VINE

The Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) is a notification system that sends automatic alerts any time an offender’s custody stats, such as release, transfer, escape or death, changes. VINE information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Registration is free and anonymous.

• How to register? Call 888-263-8463 or visit Colorado-VINE.com. You can chose to receive notifications by phone, email and/or text.
• What do I need to register?
  • Offenders name
  • Your phone number or email address
  • A four digit PIN. Entering the correct PIN and pressing the pound (#) key is the only way to confirm you have received the phone notification or to stop receiving VINE alerts.

Does VINE guarantee my safety? No. VINE is a notification system only, if you feel you are at risk call 9-1-1.

U-Visa Certification Requests

The U Visa program is intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking of immigrants and other crimes, while also protecting undocumented victims or victims in non-immigrant status who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse due to the crime committed.

U Visa certification decisions can take up to 90 days. However, if you provide documentation that you are in federal immigration removal proceedings, or you provide documentation that one or more children, parents, or siblings of the requestor would become ineligible for U Visa non immigrant status by virtue of age within 60 business days after the date that the certifying official receives the certification form request, your request could be handled within 30 days.

For the most efficient handling of your request, please direct all (Federal form I-918 Supplement B) inquiries as follows:

If an arrest has been made regarding a Longmont Police case, please send the U Visa application to: 20th Judicial Courts, District Attorney’s Office, 1777 6th Street, Boulder, CO 80302. If you need further information, please call (303)441-3700 or email.

If no arrest has been made regarding a Longmont Police case, please send the U-Visa application to: Longmont Police Chief, Longmont Public Safety, 225 Kimbark, Longmont, CO 80501. If you need further information, please call (303)651-8519 or email.

The application must be complete or it will be returned to you without certification. You must include the following documentation and information:

• A courts case number of the qualifying activity if such exists
• A formal request for U Visa certification
• Mailing address where the signed U Visa certification or denial of certification request should be sent
• A description of how the petitioner meets the eligibility requirements of a U Visa certification to include but not limited to:
  • In cases where the victim is under 21, or is incapacitated or incompetent, please submit evidence of the petitioner’s (family member’s) qualifying relationship to the victim and supporting evidence establishing the age, incapacity, or incompetence of the victim.
  • If the criminal activity is not specifically enumerated in 8 USC 1101(a)(15)(U)(iii) then explain why it is a “qualifying criminal activity,” understanding the enumerated qualifying criminal activities.