That’s why VSI is leading the charge in our state to educate citizens on the growing dangers of identity theft, and inform you on what you can do to protect yourself and your family members from identity thieves. 

As you know, Virginia Sheriffs are the only law enforcement officials elected by the people of Virginia, and with the support of citizens like you, Virginia Sheriffs and Deputies are fighting identity theft and nabbing the perpetrators.  If you suspect you may be a victim of identity theft, file a police report, cancel your credit cards, and immediately notify your financial institutions.  To receive an immediate, free electronic copy of VSI’s report on how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, please click here where you’ll find specific information for Virginia residents.  Or call VSI’s office at (804) 225-7152 to request a free brochure.

Since Jan. 1, 2010, seven dedicated law enforcement professionals have made the ultimate sacrifice while performing their duties to keep Virginians safe. Every day troopers, deputies, and officers across the Commonwealth put themselves in harm’s way to keep our cities, counties and towns safe. Statistically, one of the most dangerous responsibilities is enforcing traffic laws and identifying and removing dangerous drivers from our roadways. In 2010 alone, five Virginia State Troopers were struck while conducting traffic stops.

Virginia enacted the “Move Over” law to protect emergency personnel while they make our highways safer and aid citizens in distress. This law, as amended in 2010, mandates that motorists change lanes, if it is safe to do so, when approaching emergency vehicles that are displaying red or blue lights; or tow trucks, motorist assistance vehicles and highway maintenance vehicles displaying amber-colored flashing lights. This action provides room for law enforcement and emergency personnel to do their job safely. Additionally, if unable to change lanes, drivers are directed to proceed with caution.

Virginia’s law enforcement community has been working very hard to make our interstates, highways and streets safe for all motorists. These efforts have made a difference and Virginia is safer because of them.

In fact, for two consecutive years we have had historically low numbers in highway traffic fatalities in Virginia. Statistics show the lowest number of deaths in the past 50 years. In 2008, there were 821 deaths on Virginia highways. In 2009, that number dropped to 756. In 2010, the number reached a record low of 740 fatalities.

This reduction in fatalities is even more significant when it is viewed in context. Virginia has seen an increase in miles driven, registered vehicles, and licensed drivers on our highways. In 2010, there were 5,569,524 licensed drivers. This represents a 1.2 percent increase from 2009. Additionally, in 2010 Virginia had 7,565,848 registered vehicles, which was a 1 percent increase from 2009. In 2010, drivers traveled an estimated 82.4 billion miles on our highways, placing an unprecedented demand on our law enforcement, emergency services and Virginia Department of Transportation resources.

While the reduction in fatalities is certainly positive and very worthy of praise, it still means that 740 families mourned the death of loved ones last year—a toll that is unacceptable under any standard. The saddest part of this is that most of these deaths can be prevented if drivers simply take responsibility and practice safe driving habits.
Virginia’s law enforcement community will continue to actively enforce the laws which make our roads safer. We will continue and expand federal, state and local partnerships, as well as effective enforcement programs and initiatives. Virginia’s enforcement programs combine the resources of many agencies to create public awareness and strictly enforce traffic laws while reducing or eliminating many of the driving behaviors that threaten the safety of everyone on the road.

However, law enforcement is only part of the equation. To truly save lives — including their own — drivers must be proactive and do some simple things –

• Drive drug-free and alcohol free
• Buckle up
• Avoid distractions, such as hands-on cell phones and texting
• Share the road and stay in your lane
• Move over for emergency vehicles
• Obey speed limits

As the summer comes to an end and we celebrate Labor Day, I encourage all who use Virginia’s roadways to assist our law enforcement professionals to ensure that everyone gets home safely every time they get in a vehicle. Help us protect the dedicated law enforcement and highway safety professionals who risk their lives on a daily basis by “moving over” and giving them room to work. Additionally, I urge all drivers to follow the simple safety tips we all know by heart. Finally, please join me in thanking law enforcement for the difficult job they do each day to keep us all safe.

Marla Graff Decker
Secretary of Public Safety

The scholarship program, established by the VSI’s Board of Directors, was established to provide an opportunity for young people across Virginia to pursue an educational curriculum in criminal justice. 

The two scholarship recipients were Joseph Siegel of Purcellville, VA, who graduated from Loudoun Valley High School and Daniel O’Connell of Leesburg, VA, who graduated from Loudoun County High School. Joseph will be attending Randolph-Macon University in the fall with Daniel heading to Radford University.

I came to know Andrew through his involvement in the community and as a student in school.  He has distinguished himself as a bright, inquisitive, energetic scholar.

Andrew is popular among students and teachers alike. He works well independently, but is also someone everyone wants to collaborate with.

Andrew has accomplished much as a student and in the community. He has received membership into the National Honor Society and three academic Honor Roll Letters. His activities include Tri-hi-y, Baseball, Golf, Model General Assembly, Red Cross Blood Drive, Victoria Fire and Rescue, EMT, and Firefighter.

Without a doubt, Andrew will continue to prove successful in future academic pursuits and if he follows his known traits will contribute much to society.

All three recipients expressed their appreciation to the VSI and the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office for their support.  Mr. Gardner is attending Virginia State University and Mr. Hutton and Ms. Henley are attending Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Suffolk Sheriff’s Office has participated in the Virginia Sheriff’s Institute Scholarship Program since 1994 and has awarded 50 scholarships totaling $35,800 to local students majoring in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement

John W. Jones, Executive Director of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute said “We are particularly grateful for the 18,000 Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute Associate Members who have made this important donation possible.” 

The Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute is also instrumental in providing scholarships to young people across Virginia and providing necessary training and educational programs to Virginia sheriffs. 

The Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute Board of Directors consists of:  President, Sheriff Vanessa R. Crawford, City of Petersburg; Immediate Past President, Sheriff Lenny W. Millholland, City of Winchester; Vice President, Sheriff Alex L. Caldwell, Jr., City of Staunton; Secretary, Sheriff Steven L. Dye, Russell County; Treasurer, Sheriff Anthony W. Roper, Clarke County; Sheriff Javier J. Smith, Charles City County; Sheriff James R. Edwards, Jr., Greensville County; Sheriff Danny R. Fox, Mecklenburg County, and Sheriff C.O. Balderson, Westmoreland County.

Raines, who gave the Sheriff’s Office 1350 hours in 2010, volunteers his time with the Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit, assisting with the review of all emergency procedures and plans. Since his appointment in 2003, Raines has volunteered almost 10,000 hours. 

The Reserve Deputy Unit offers carefully screened volunteers the opportunity to serve the community in uniform.  Over the past year, reserve deputies provided security and assistance for National Night Out, the Herndon Festival, Celebrate Fairfax, and several child safety seat and fingerprinting events. 

For 36 years, Volunteer Fairfax has proudly served the Fairfax County community, working with more than 900 agencies and, through volunteers, contributes more than $1 million in volunteer time to area non-profit organizations. 

The Sheriff’s Office offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities.  For more information, please visit our website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/sheriff

While the number of crimes perpetrated each year is staggering, the statistics are even more shocking when you add in the millions of spouses, parents, children, siblings and friends who represent the wider sphere of a criminal’s collateral damage.

Crime is the great equalizer. Victims are young, old, rich, poor, black, white, and those working to help and support crime victims also represent a diverse cross section of America.

Take us, for example, a female sergeant from Richmond and a male corporate executive, raised in New Jersey. On the surface, we have little in common other than a shared hope that our efforts can help make just one crime victim’s life easier, particularly those affected by domestic violence.

Our paths crossed five years ago because of the Verizon Wireless HopeLine phone recycling program, an effort that has provided more than $10 million in donations to domestic violence prevention groups around the country, including sizable contributions to nonprofits in the Commonwealth. The program grew out of the simple understanding that as wireless technology advances, consumers make new purchases, leaving untold millions of no-longer-used cell phones waiting to be recycled.

One of us has become a collecting crusader, traveling to the far reaches of Virginia to pick up phones destined for recycling, while the other one has the great pleasure of turning those piles of phones into Verizon Wireless HopeLine donations for cash-strapped prevention groups. One of us lost a parent at a young age in a domestic violence incident, a tragic fact that helped launch a career in public safety, while the other one has enjoyed a career with a corporation that believes in giving back to the communities in which it operates.

This April, in recognition of Crime Victims Week, we have a simple request: If you have a wireless phone or accessory you’re not using, please recycle it through HopeLine. HopeLine donations support a wide range of domestic violence victim services – from outfitting shelters to bi-lingual advocacy programs to services for children traumatically affected by witnessing a parent’s abuse. Please help us commemorate all crime victims this month by sending a message of hope.

Carol Adams is a sergeant with the Richmond Police Department, and Mike Maiorana is regional president of Verizon Wireless. For more information on the HopeLine program, www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline