Commentary: Fighting for our community superheroes

Christopher Reeve once said, "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." These everyday heroes live among us, and we have the honor to work with some of them every day. I became a prosecutor to help bring justice to victims and survivors of crime, and with each and every case, I am in awe of the resiliency of the human spirit. Victims and survivors are at the core of everything we do at the Placer County District Attorney's Office. Every week is crime victims' rights week for our office, but each April, we formally recognize and participate in National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Since 1981, National Crime Victims' Rights Week is celebrated every year in April. The week is dedicated to learning about the effects trauma and victimization have on individuals, families, friends and the community. It also serves to highlight and promote laws, policies and resources that help victims and survivors of crime. The Placer County District Attorney's Office has an incredible victim services unit dedicated to connecting victims and survivors to our Victim Advocates. Our advocates guide our victims and survivors through the court process, advise them of their legal rights through Marsy's Law, and encourage victims and survivors to regain their power and voice through the process. In and out of the courtroom, our office is here to provide support and guidance. Each year, new legislation is enacted that affects everyone within the criminal justice system. This office stands committed to advocate on behalf of crime victims and provide a voice to our community and our lawmakers. We will not sit quietly in the face of legislation that seeks to abandon victims and survivors of crime. We have the power at a local level to affect positive change and continue to keep our communities safe. I will remain active at a state level on issues important to public safety. From attending press conferences to speaking to the media to educating legislators and our community – I am honored to serve as a voice for our community. For those willing to participate with us at the state level, we are happy to join forces to make our voices heard on behalf of crime victims. There are many things we can do and are doing to affect policy changes in our community. From robust educational campaigns and aggressive prosecution of fentanyl-related cases to filing civil suits to stop the early release of violent and serious offenders, we will continue to work with our justice partners and victims' rights groups to fight for our victims and survivors in ways that restore their voice and make an impact in our community. National Crime Victims' Rights Week was April 25-29, and our office participated in events such as ceremonial ribbon placements, victim resource fairs and vigils for victims of crime. We will continue to advocate and fight on behalf of victims and survivors of crime. These heroes among us deserve nothing less.