County to Alert Crime Victims of Suspect Release
By ELIZABETH IRELAND
Updated 1:36 PM PST, Thu, Jul 9, 2009
San Diego's new Sheriff introduced a new service for victims Monday.
Sheriff Bill Gore stood beside District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis to explain the "VINE" System. VINE stands for "Victim Information and Notification Everyday."
The system will notify crime victims 30 days before an inmate is released from custody or 30 days before an inmate transfers facilities. Victims can register for the service for free on the sheriff's website or just pick up the phone.
“A crime victim can either have the name of the inmate or his booking number,” said Gore. “You can call a toll-free number which is 877-411-5588.”
The new service is made possible by the passage of Proposition Nine last November. That was the "Crime Victims Bill of Rights," known as "Marcy's Law."
Here's how it works: When you look up an inmate on the San Diego Sheriff's website, it gives you the option of registering with "VineLink" right next to the "Email an Inmate" icon. If you click on the VineLink icon and put in your email address, you'll be automatically updated on any status changes for that inmate.
In other words, you'll receive an email telling you where the suspect has been moved to, if they have posted bail and when they are released.
The VINE system only applies to inmates in custody of the San Diego County Sheriff.
First Published: Jul 6, 2009 1:56 PM PST
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