06-08-2010
Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman announced today that local crime victims received $377,606 in reparations in 2009.
"There is no justice for anyone if we don't actively seek greater fairness for crime victims," said Sheriff Gusman. "The Crime Victims Reparations Program is available to victims and families to help ease their burden and hopefully return a sense of safety and security to their lives."
Residents of Orleans Parish received Louisiana's highest total funding to victims, $377,606, or 17 percent of the $2,243,905 given out statewide. Additionally, of the 896 claimants in the state who were granted awards, Orleans Parish provided for 120 individuals, or 13 percent.
The total amount of funds collected for the 2009 fiscal year was $1,376,009 and the average total per award was $2,504. Funds for the CVR Program are derived from costs levied on criminal court cases and from federal grants. No state funds are used for this program.
The Louisiana Crime Victims Reparations (CVR) Act provides monetary compensation for economic losses to victims of crimes involving personal injury and to their dependents in cases of death. It permits recovery for economic losses incurred as a result of a good faith effort to prevent a crime.
To be eligible for awards from the CVR Program, a person must be a victim of a crime which involved the use or threat of force and resulted in personal injury and/or loss of income. The victim's legal representative, dependent or the dependent's legal representative may provide an application to the Board. Additionally, a claim may be filed regardless of whether the offender is known, has been arrested, and/or has been found guilty.
Crime victims can contact the OPSO about the CVR Program by calling
(504) 827-6754 or visiting www.opcso.org.
The CVR Board maintains a website that includes information available to the public about this program, including who may qualify, how to apply for reparations and who to contact for assistance. For more information, please visit www.lcle.la.gov/cvr. Additional resources for crime victims in Orleans Parish are available at www.opcso.org.
