On Tuesday, April 1st, at 11 a.m., Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee meet with community members from the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter (DAFS), the Seniors and Lawmen Together (SALT) Council, the Shafer Center, and representatives from the Laurel Police Department and the Jones County Sheriff’s Department to discuss the variety of victim’s services and resources available in the city and county.
The meeting was led by the city’s Victims Advocate Teya Cooper of the Laurel Police Department and the invocation was provided by Lance Chancellor of the Jones County Sheriff’s Department.
Members from each group shared information on the services that their organization can provide individuals who have been the victim of a crime.
The Shafer Center provides counseling and resources to sexual assault victims and also offers a homicide support group for those whose loved ones were the victims of a homicide.
The SALT Council provides services to seniors including training on how to avoid scammers and provides safety devices to seniors including flashlights and pepper spray.
The Domestic Abuse Family Shelter (DAFS) provides shelter, help with legal resources, advocacy, and additional support to people who are struggling with domestic abuse. Those who are interested in receiving assistance from DAFS do not have to be housed in their shelter. Although they have a shelter that can house 30 people, they can provide support those who are living alone or with family members as well.
“We’re very lucky to have as many fine citizens as we do who will come and help people,” Laurel Police Chief Tommy Cox said. “We appreciate it.”
The proclamation read as follows:
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 6th- 12th, 2025
Whereas, being a victim of crime and navigating the criminal justice system can be a frightening and confusing experience;
Whereas, progress in improving the treatment of crime victims has been made through the efforts of thousands of victims and survivors who have turned their own experiences into a force for positive change, ensuring that others can receive justice, meaningful assistance, and compassionate treatment before the law;
Whereas, since the passage of the Victims of Crim Act of 1984, and through the dedicated work of advocates, lawmakers, and victim service providers, there is a growing array of services and resources available to victims and their loved ones;
Whereas, honoring the rights of victims – including the rights to be heard and to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect – and working to meet their needs rebuilds their trust in the criminal justice and social service systems;
Whereas, individuals’ trust in the compassion, understanding, and support of their communities is achieved through sustained, deep-rooted, and coordinated outreach;
Whereas, identifying, reaching, and serving all victims of crime—especially those from groups that often have less access to healing services and avenues to justice—is essential;
Whereas, our community’s continued engagement with the challenges faced by victims of crime will ensure that the progress made to date is not lost, and that new ground is broken to gain greater justice and healing for all victims.
Whereas, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week provides an opportunity to recommit ensuring that accessible, appropriate, and trauma-informed services are offered to all victims of crime; and
Whereas, the City of Laurel and Jones County advocates are hereby dedicated to supporting victims and survivors in the aftermath of crime, building trust among our clients, collaborating with other service providers, and engaging our community in response efforts.
Now, therefore, I, Johnny Magee, Mayor of the City of Laurel, do hereby proclaim the week of April 6-12, 2025, as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in the City of Laurel, reaffirming our commitment to creating a victim service and criminal justice response that assists all victims of crime during Crime Victims’ Rights Week and throughout the year; and expressing our sincere gratitude and appreciation for those community members, victim service providers, and criminal justice professionals who are committed to improving our response to all victims of crime so that they may find relevant assistance, support, justice, and peace.
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Laurel, Mississippi to be affixed this the first day of April, A.D. 2025.
