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Greetings!
My name is Shawndrea Thomas and welcome to the April edition of our community newsletter. I was recently a journalist here in Tucson and now I’m the new Communications Director at PCAO. I’m so excited about what’s next for the People’s Office and we’re looking forward to sharing more of what’s happening in our community. If you have any questions feel free to drop me an email at shawndrea.thomas@pcao.pima.gov. Now to the newsletter!
April is one of the busiest months of the year for public safety awareness campaigns that focus on vital messages from the People’s Office and our partners in crime prevention and victim support.
This year, the month started with County Attorney Laura Conover and Special Victims Bureau Chief Deputy County Attorney Tracy Miller rising bright and early to be guests on the KVOI Radio program Law Matters Radio.
During their conversation with host Sherry Harrison, Laura and Tracy covered awareness campaigns that highlight Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The monthlong campaign is packed with events all around town to educate the public about the issue, while giving victims resources they might need.
The local campaign, “TucSAAM,” kicked off with an event on Wednesday, April 5 at the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault/CODAC in Tucson. This year’s event features the theme “Demand Equity,” to raise awareness about the factors affecting people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities. Those groups report being victims of sexual assault at drastically higher rates than the rest of society.
County Attorney Conover was among a group of local leaders who spoke to about 70 people at the kickoff event, which also featured a wonderful performance by members of the Esperanza Dance Project, a local group that uses dance to inspire hope and healing for victims childhood sexual assault.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Adelita Grijalva read proclamations that adopted by each elected body, and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar also made remarks in support of the campaign.
On April 19th, volunteers from throughout Tucson showed up at dozens of coffee shops and brew pubs around town to help raise funds to support the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault.
Those restaurants donated up to 20 percent of their proceeds for the day to SACASA, while volunteers sold raffle tickets and accepted donations. The generosity of the community led to a great success and show of goodwill. Donations exceeded expectations that can now help the non-profit organization continue its mission of providing support services to victims and survivors of sexual assault free of charge.
Our office was proud to assist with this effort and we greatly appreciate both the businesses that participated and all those who volunteered their time to help our partners at SACASA.
April 23-29th marked National Crime Victim Rights Week, a campaign by the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. The theme for this year’s campaign was “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.”
On April 25th we hosted at Pima Community College’s Downtown Campus for “Take Back the Night,”. The annual event that brings neighbors out to stand united against crime and in support of victims. Members of our community outreach team joined County Attorney Conover, who was also a keynote speaker. We met visitors and gave out information and merch that promotes community safety. Our team also showed support and solidarity for the week by wearing jeans and the colors of the initiative.
PCAO’s Victim Services Division and community partners gathered at the historic Z Mansion in downtown Tucson on April 27th for an event called “Survivor Voices” to honor those who do so much to support victims of sexual violence as they go through the court system and healing process.
Those recognized at the event were:
While our focus in the case has been on the rights of the victim’s sister, our office continues to review the case for potential next steps.
Then on the night of April 29th, we joined our partners at Homicide Survivors for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of victims and support of survivors. The vigil, held at the Children’s Memorial Park, brought members of the community together with photos of lost loved ones that adorned a community alter for the evening.
Early in April, the Pima County Attorney’s Office held its Second Annual Community Safety Awards event at the Pima Community College West Campus’s Proscenium Theatre.
The event, which recognizes everyday citizens whose efforts promote safer and healthier neighborhoods and communities, was attended by approximately 70 people, and featured a performance by Mariachi Las Aguilitias de Davis.
Those receiving PCAO’s Community Safety Awards were:
Each of these recipients encompasses the commitment to community that makes such a difference in pursuit of public safety and health.
On April 7, PCAO was honored to host a delegation of law enforcement officials from India as part of the U.S. Department of State’s “Citizen Diplomacy Alliance.”
The delegation featured senior law enforcement officials in positions such as Inspector General of Police, Superintendent of Police, Inspector of Police, and Commandants – and was comprised almost entirely of women.
While in Tucson, they met with members of PCAO’s Detective Unit in furtherance of the program’s mission of building bonds between nations “one handshake at a time.”
AND finally, we held some employee appreciation events throughout the month. Starting with an ice cream social and a bowling event for employees. FUN FUN FUN!!! See you next month!
The PCAO Community Newsletter is published and distributed monthly.
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