Seneca Sheriffs Enhance Victim Hotline – VINE

In an effort to increase public awareness and facilitate crime victims’ access to critical offender information, Seneca County Sheriff Jack S. Stenberg has installed two enhancements to the New York Sheriffs’ Victim Hotline — VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday). The enhancements will the allow the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office to direct victims and other concerned citizens to VINE, a free, anonymous phone and Web system that allows users to track the custody status of offenders in jail and register to be notified when an offender’s custody status changes. On the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office automated phone response system, (315-220-3200, Option #9), a simple script modification for incoming calls allows callers to transfer directly to VINE for offender custody information and notification.Responding to offender custody calls is a task correctional facilities can count on performing every day. Allowing callers to transfer to VINE through the Sheriff’s Office automated phone system not only eliminates that task for personnel, it also allows callers immediately register with VINE to protect themselves and their family by obtaining custody information as quickly as possible.A second enhancement provides a link from the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Web site (www.co.seneca.ny.us) to the online version of New York Sheriffs’ Victim Hotline. The Web interface allows users to access the same information they would receive via the VINE toll-free number and register for phone and e-mail notifications. Adding the link reduces the time a victim spends searching for offender information.The VINE telephone transfer option and Web link seamlessly connect users to the service, decreasing their wait and search times while simultaneously reducing incoming calls to jails and correctional facilities. “These important additions empower crime victims to have almost instant access to custody status changes of offenders” Seneca County Sheriff Jack S. Stenberg said. “The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office tries to stay on the cutting edge of technology to provide citizens with tools that they can use to track offenders incarcerated in our facility or any facility State-wide. These two enhancements empower crime victims to receive immediate notification when an offender’s status changes and alert registered users either by telephone or email.” said Stenberg. Sheriff Stenberg encourages crime victims to register by either calling the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office at 315-220-3200, Option 9, or register online on the Sheriff’s website to take advantage of this service.VINE is a service of Appriss Inc., a Louisville, Kentucky-based provider of technology services that help hundreds of local, state, and Federal criminal justice agencies to serve and protect their citizens. The New York Sheriffs’ Victim Hotline program is offered by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, the NYC Department of Correction, and the State Department of Correctional Services.