Travis County Sheriff s Office Victim Services December 2017 December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month By: Sonya Villarreal Next Volunteer Meeting January 17th Services for Veterans and Suicide Prevention 6:30pm to 8:00pm Sheriff s Office With over 15 years of working in Victim Services, I have seen my share of traffic-related injuries and fatalities. Many of these calls involved accidents caused by distracted or impaired drivers. With the holiday season upon us, it is important to remember that many people travel to and from their destinations via our highways and roadways. According to the National Association of Drug Court Professions (NADCP), the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year s Day is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America s roadways due to an increase in impaired driving. Since 1981, every President of the United States has proclaimed December as National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month or more recently, National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. In 2016, President Barack Obama cited consumption of alcohol, illegal and prescription drug use, eating and cell phone use as factors contributing to the increased number of traffic fatalities. As victim advocates, we may be called to assist family members or witnesses involved in these types of accidents, but we can also do our part as ordinary citizens. Many times, it is not enough to only ensure our own responsibility when choosing to consume alcohol. It is also important to try and prevent accidents. As passengers, we can reduce our interactions with drivers and lessen distractions. As friends and family members, we can look out for loved ones who may be drinking and help them get home safely. And as citizens, we can always call 911 to report any dangerous driving we observe. Parents of teen drivers should also educate their children on the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs and/or distracted driving.
Page 2 Travis County Sheriff s Office (continued) According to TX DOT, 987 people were killed in 2016 in motor vehicle traffic accidents where a driver was under the influence of alcohol. This is 26% of the total number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes. A total of 455 people were killed in accidents involving distracted drivers. TX DOT cites the time between 2:00 a.m. and 2:59 a.m. as the time during which most alcohol-related accidents are reported. Also, more of these accidents occurred on Saturday than any other day of the week. When working these calls, it is extremely important to consider your own personal safety. You will likely be responding to a scene on a roadway; a roadway where traffic may still be allowed to travel. At times, drivers do not stop or slow as directed by signs or sworn personnel, who can place all responders and commuters at risk. It is important to remember this when walking or standing on an open roadway or alongside. Whenever possible (and with authorization of sworn personnel), try to relocate victims/witnesses to a more secure area or even your vehicle, rather than standing on the side of the roadway. This can also be helpful in removing the victim/ witness from an area, where they are able to directly view the actions of officers and other first responders. These calls are never easy. Self-care is important, regardless of the type of call you respond to. It is important to process your feelings and to reach out for help if needed. For more information on National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, stats and information can be found at: www.nadcp.org www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety VSU Interns We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to Margarita Guerrero and Veronica Cadena who will be completing their internships this month. They have both done fantastic work while they have been with the Unit, and they will be greatly missed! All the best to you both as you move on to your next adventure! Jamila Davis will return to the Unit for the Spring 2018 semester. We will also have 3 new interns joining us in January. Their bios will be included in the January 2018 newsletter.
December Travis County 2017 Victim Services Page 3 3 November Stats Call Type ADAM Assist Complainant (1) Family Disturbance (2) Sexual Assault of a Child (1) BAKER Assault by Contact/FV (3) Assault w/ Injury/FV (14) Assault w/ Injury/FV- Strangulation (1) Assist CPS (1) Assist EMS (2) Attempted Sexual Assault (1) Crim Mischief/Prop Damage/FV (1) Emotionally Disturbed Person (1) Family Disturbance (3) Injury to a Child/FV (1) Sexual Assault of a Child (2) Sexual Assault of a Child/FV (1) Sexual Assault/FV (1) Stalking/FV (1) Structure Fire (1) Unlawful Restraint/FV Violation of Protective Order/FV (1) CHARLIE Aggravated Assault w/ Deadly Weapon (1) Assault by Threat/FV (1) Assault w/ Injury (1) Assault w/ Injury/FV- Strangulation (1) Burglary of Residence/FV (1) Death Notification (1) Deceased Person (2) Sexual Assault (1) DAVID Intoxication Assault (1) Sexual Assault (1) OTHER AGENCIES Assist Lago Vista (1) Assist Lakeway (2) Assist Mustang Ridge (1)
Travis County Victim Services Page 4 December 2017 Page 4 November Stats Day and Time ADAM SUN (2) 12a-4a (0) MON (3) 4a-8a (1) TUE (0) 8a-12p (2) WED (1) 12p-4p (2) THURS (1) 4p-8p (2) FRI (0) 8p-12a (1) SAT (1) BAKER SUN (10) 12a-4a (9) MON (4) 4a-8a (5) TUE (6) 8a-12p (0) WED (6) 12p-4p (5) THURS (2) 4p-8p (8) FRI (4) 8p-12a (10) SAT (5) CHARLIE SUN (2) 12a-4a (1) MON (1) 4a-8a (0) TUE (1) 8a-12p (3) WED (4) 12p-4p (3) THURS (0) 4p-8p (0) FRI (2) 8p-12a (4) SAT (1) DAVID SUN (0) 12a-4a (2) MON (4) 4a-8a (1) TUE (3) 8a-12p (2) WED (0) 12p-4p (2) THURS (1) 4p-8p (0) FRI (0) 8p-12a (1) SAT (0)
December 2017 Page 5 TCSO VICTIM SERVICES UNIT 5555 Airport Blvd Austin, Texas 78751 Phone: (512) 854-9709 Fax: (512) 854-4719 Victim Services Staff Amy Durall, Director Heather Dooley, SSPC Victim Services Specialists Benjamin Garza Huitzi Valdez Lupe Salazar Sonya Villarreal Star Garza Tony Switzer Interns Jamila Davis Margarita Guerrero Veronica Cadena https://www.tcsheriff.org/victim -services/volunteers/guide Got News? If you have newsworthy items or announcements for the newsletter please pass them along to Heather Heather1.Dooley @traviscountytx.gov Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. ~Helen Keller ~