The Van Buren County Victim Services Unit is a trained volunteer group under the direction of the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, the Michigan Sheriff's Association, and the Coordination of Susan Crouse and co-coordination of Deanna Polomcak.  They are dedicated to helping victims, survivors, and their loved ones work through a crisis or crime, and are also the helping hands of the police, fire and medical personnel.

The VSU is designed to comfort and help victims immediately after an incident by providing short-term crisis intervention.  Having no personal reference for traumatic events, most victims feel lost and in need of guidance.  VSU can offer answers to such common questions such as what happens next, funeral preparations, why an autopsy is needed, why a crime scene takes so long to process, and who will guide them through the court system.  Referrals can also be made to appropriate agencies and services within the community.

The Victim Services Unit also frees authorities to do their job without leaving victims alone or feeling ignored.  The objective of the unit is to assist police, fire, and EMT personal so their efforts are focused on avoiding further victimization to the families.

On scene, the Victim Services Unit plays a vital role by lending support and assisting victims and witnesses through the initial shock of trauma.  The unit can separate victims from the scene of an investigation while maintaining a link to officers for the victims' questions and concerns.  At a secondary site, they can stay after officers leave, working to pull a support system of close friends, family, or church personnel into place.
 

     You will never have to go through it alone

WHEN TO REQUEST THEIR SERVICES

           Homicide, suicide or any death or serious injury    
Traffic Accidents or other traumatic events
Criminal Sexual Conduct
Breaking and entering (especially senior citizens)
Death notifications
House Fires
Natural Disasters
Lost children
SIDS deaths
Natural deaths
Whenever requested

HOW TO REQUEST THE VSU

Victim Services Unit volunteers can be requested by any police department, fire department, or hospital within the county, or by volunteers themselves.  They will respond twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to the scene, police agencies, or other locations.  To request the VSU, contact the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office Dispatch at 657-3101.