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MPD Victim Advocacy

I want to tell you about an area of Mesquite Police Department that many people don't know much about, but is critically important to those who are victims of crime.

Victim Services

Last fall the Mesquite Police Department used funding from a VOCA (Victim of Crime Administrators) grant to hire a victim advocate to begin offering victim services. Since then, a part-time Spanish-speaking advocate, and ten advocate volunteers have been brought on board to help serve the community.

Full-time advocate Brooke Whipple and part-time advocate Maricruz Marquez are well known in the community for their kindness and compassion so they were the perfect candidates when it came to filling the positions. Brooke had previously worked as an advocate in Mesquite so she came well prepared to jump-start victim services within the police department. Advocates are available 24/7, when requested by a police officer, to respond to any type of incident where a victim may need assistance.

The advocates can assist victims of abuse with filing protection orders and locating shelter through partner agencies. Victims can rely on advocates to keep them posted on court dates, accompany them to court, as well as help assist with writing victim impact statements to be read at sentencing.

Advocates are also available to help victims of all crime types. They will help with fraud and identity theft packets, and insurance claims, complete victim compensation funding requests and arrange for telehealth counseling services.

The advocates can be reached at 702-346-5244 during regular business hours.

Brooke Whipple

Maricruz Marquez

Virtual Crisis Care

The Police Department has been selected by the Department of Health and Human Services as one of eleven police agencies across the state to participate in a Virtual Crisis Care program that will allow officers to provide immediate access to mental health services to individuals in crisis.

Each officer will be provided with a HIPPA-compliant IPad and offer video-enabled telehealth services to a behavioral health professional. Officers are expected to receive IPads at the end of September. All costs, including the equipment and data access fees, will be provided through the program.

This program will help our officers support the individual(s) in need while maintaining the safety and well-being of the individual and reducing the need for involuntary police transport. Follow-up services will be provided by the Nevada Caring Contacts program, which is a specialized branch of the Nevada Warmline and is a Suicide Prevention/Postvention/Follow-up Program.

National Suicide Prevention Week

As we carry on with our busy lives, we often forget that some of our friends and family struggle with mental health issues which can sometimes lead to suicide.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Please reach out to others and check that they are doing okay. If someone is struggling emotionally, please help them connect with a professional who can assist them. 

It is up to us to watch out for each other.  We can be the prevention with a little time and care for one another.

Curative Covid Testing Ending

The Southern Nevada Health District has announced that Curative will be closing its testing site in Mesquite on September 1. Curative is no longer able to sustain its operations due to low PCR testing volume over the past few months.

However, SNHD will continue to maintain our Covid-19 vending machine located in the Mesa View Hospital allowing Mesquite residents access to Covid-19 antigen test kits 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Residents can register at snhd.info/testkit online prior to their arrival OR at the site of the machine by simply scanning the QR code that will link to the registration page. Every individual can access up to 5 at-home kits per month. SNHD will continue to monitor the demand and need for Covid-19 testing in Mesquite and will work to expand testing again should the need arise.

Long Drive Championship

Last year the Professional Long Drivers Association brought the World Championship Series back to Mesquite. I couldn't be more excited to welcome the long drive champions back this year.

The event will be held September 27 through October 1 at the Mesquite Sports and Events Complex. A field crew has been upgrading the sports field during the summer months.

HERE IS DRONE FOOTAGE of the new field posted by the Mesquite Recreation Department.  Doesn't it look great?

If you haven't attended this special event before, put this on your calendar.  It is great fun. Also, the PLDA appreciates the friendliness and enthusiasm of our local audience. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE.

Kids for Sports Foundation

I serve on the Advisory Board of Kids for Sports Foundation which was founded by Cory and Chad Clemetson, co-owners of Wolf Creek Golf Club.

Its purpose is to provide grants for school children in the Virgin Valley area to play organized sports so they are not shut out of activities for lack of funds. You can find out more about Kids for Sports by CLICKING HERE.

The annual Wine Fest fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, September 28. Tickets sell out fast. Call 702-345-6728.

Virgin River Cleanup Day

What are you doing on Saturday, September 10? Not much? Great. You are needed for clean up of our precious resource, the Virgin River.

Volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at Hafen Park. The Church of Latter Day Saints will provide breakfast before volunteers begin the clean up at 9 a.m. 

Volunteers should dress for working outside: Long pants are recommended along with sturdy walking or hiking shoes (flip-flops are not appropriate). Please bring your own gloves if you have them; a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are also advisable. Bring water.

Volunteers will be asked to complete a “Volunteer Release Form” available at the breakfast.

Tasks will include: 

• Cleaning up trash along the river from the walking trail to the river’s edge (north side of the river)
• Cleaning up trash on the south side of the river - tamarisk removal (tamarisk is an invasive plant species). If you want to help with this, bring a shovel and gloves.
• Planting willow cuttings.

For additional information please contact: Jeri Lynn Benell, Virgin River Coalition - Watershed Coordinator virginrivercoalition@gmail.com

Mesquite Reads Book Sale

This is such a worthy cause. The Mesquite Reads program encourages reading among our elementary school children which can literally set their path towards more success. Please support it. 

Programs for Young People

Now that the kids are back in school, programs are underway. Take a look at these.

CLICK HERE for the parade application.

Mudd Volleyball Event at Eureka

Can you imagine anything more fun than this?  Well, I can think of a few things, but this is pretty interesting.

Mesquite Night Out

One of our most popular annual events will take place on Wednesday, September 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mesquite Recreation Center field. Mesquite Night Out offers the opportunity for personnel from our police and fire departments to interact with the community through a fun and informative gathering. For more details, CLICK HERE.

The Welcome Center at Exit 122 needs volunteers to greet visitors and provide information. Please consider contributing your time in a valuable way to promote our wonderful city and what we have to offer to visitors.

I have regular updates on my social media accounts and blog at sandraramaker.com. I can be reached at sandra@sandraramaker.com.

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Stay cool ... summer is almost over and the best weather is right around the corner.