Sheriff's Office Receives V.I.N.E. Training
Victim Notification Service Tracks Offenders, Protective Orders

The Rogers County Sheriff's Office, in coordination with the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, has trained the communications division of the Sheriff's Office in the use of V.I.N.E. Protective Order system.

V.I.N.E., which stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday, is a powerful resource for crime victims.  Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmonson spearheaded the introduction of Oklahoma to the V.I.N.E. program and recently extended the program to include protective orders.

Victims of crime and those who have filed protective orders can now track the information necessary to their cases.  Victims can register with Oklahoma V.I.N.E. and receive notification when protective orders are served within minutes of the service being made.

"These can be especially tense moments," said Jennifer Taylor of the Attorney General's Office.  "When a victim is notified they're able to take precautions to better ensure their safety," she said.  Taylor conducted the training class for the Rogers County Sheriff's Office.

Rogers County Sheriff Captain Shane Reynolds, who supervises the Sheriff's dispatch, said he was pleased to see the Attorney General's Office work with Rogers County to get the training conducted.  "They [the Attorney General's office] has worked hard getting this program in place and we want to make sure we use it for the benefit of everyone in Rogers County," he said.

Users of the Oklahoma V.I.N.E. system can opt to receive phone calls or emails which are placed through an automated system and is in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 

"We've seen instances in the past where the service of a protective order is the trigger for someone who can't really control themselves and they launch an attack on the person looking for protection," said Sheriff Scott Walton. "With V.I.N.E., these victims can know when service has been made and take the steps necessary to protect themselves."

The V.I.N.E. system is not limited to victims only.  Anyone can use the Oklahoma V.I.N.E. system to track offenders.  Simply by visiting www.vinelink.com users can register and begin tracking offenders.  This service allows users and crime victims to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day and also track the service of protective orders. 

Interested person who do not have Internet access can also use the V.I.N.E. system by calling 1-877-654-8463.  It is recommended that callers have a first and last name of the offender, a case number of a protective order and a date of birth.  Operators can, however, search for the information.

In preparing to write this article, a call was made to the V.I.N.E. toll free number at nearly 10 PM.  Kevin, an operator at the Attorney General's Office V.I.N.E. program was not only courteous but also fast with information.  The phone system is easy to use, even without operator assistance.

"This can be a useful tool, if it's used," said Sheriff Walton. "The merger of law enforcement and technology has proven to be a powerful partnership that is empowering crime victims and supplying law enforcement with much needed information," he said. "Until now, victims have been mostly left in the dark about what's happening with their cases and protective orders.  Now, victims are brought into the loop and can help us help them."

Anyone suffering a domestic violence crisis in Rogers or Mayes county can call Safenet Services 24/7 at (918) 341-9400.  Persons needing help with the filing of a protective order in Rogers County can call (918) 341-1424 (business hours) or (918) 341-0912 (business hours.) In Mayes county, victims can call (918) 825-0190.