Alecia Foster
GLENDALE -- In 1993, Mary Byron of Louisville, Ken., was kidnapped and
raped by a former boyfriend. When police arrested him, Byron asked law
enforcement officials to notify her if he was released on bail.
They did not, and a few days after her 21st birthday, the man found
Byron and killed her.
The incident prompted Kentucky law enforcement officials to implement
a notification program to keep victims updated on their attacker's
whereabouts.
"This gives them a chance to take necessary steps to prevent the
violence from happening again," said Merle Chandler, Custody Bureau
administrator for the Glendale Police Department.
A similar incident that occurred in Los Angeles several years ago
prompted the county's Board of Supervisors to call for action.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department started a notification
program last year, similar to the Kentucky program, called the Victim
Information and Notification Everyday, or VINE.
Glendale Police joined the program earlier this year.
"Last year, we had 150 felony domestic violence arrests," Chandler
said.
When survivors register with the program, their information is linked
to their attacker's file. By calling in to a special phone notification
line, survivors can find out where their attacker is in the justice
system.
Prior to any release, the system will notify the survivor.
"They keep calling the person until they are contacted," Chandler
said.
The establishment of the program has been welcome news to people like
Donna Cox, director of programs for the Glendale YWCA. The organization
operates a number of programs that help survivors of domestic violence.
"That's an excellent way to find out what's going on," Cox said.
She said it has not been uncommon for a number of women to be
surprised by their attacker when he is released from prison. Many
domestic violence recovery programs have tried to help women locate their
attackers, she said.
This program makes it easier, she said.
"If she needs to find that information, she can get it," she said.
For more information on the program, contact Chandler at 548-3139.
