Safe Neighborhoods call-in sends a message
The voices were varied — those of an ER doctor, a minister, an ex-con, the police chief, the prosecutor — but the message for Akron’s most violent offenders centered on a common theme: End the gun violence or face the consequences, including a major crackdown on your whole group.
It was delivered in late August at the first call-in held under the Attorney General’s new Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Akron is the first city participating in the statewide effort, and interest within the community is strong.
“Our biggest issue was space in the courtroom to accommodate all those requesting to be observers,” said Assistant Attorney General Bob Fiatal, who is leading the initiative. “We had to tell some people we didn’t have room for them.”
Modeled after Operation Ceasefire, launched in Boston in the 1990s and since emulated by several other cities, the initiative seeks to reduce gun crime by conveying clear consequences and providing resources to help offenders break out of their violent lifestyles.
It compels those on parole and probation for gun crimes to attend the call-ins, where — in Akron’s case — the presenters included a physician who detailed some brutal medical realities and a man who did time for aggravated robbery and now runs a ministry to help people make a fresh start after they’ve been released from prison.
Three other communities are working with the Attorney General’s Office to launch the initiative in their areas. Others with an interest in the program can contact Fiatal at
Robert.Fiatal@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 216-787-3030.
Reimbursements available for sex offender extraditions
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) still has funds available to reimburse local jurisdictions for costs associated with the out-of-state or out-of-county extradition of noncompliant sex offenders wanted in Ohio. BCI’s SORN-NET program has reimbursed such expenses since 2010.
Sheriffs’ offices can take advantage of the grant money when pursuing sex offenders of any classification — including those under the Megan’s Law classification system and the three-tier system — who are registered in their county and have fled jurisdiction.
If a sheriff chooses to extradite an offender, BCI can reimburse expenses up to $3,000 per offender. The amount was increased from $2,000 because some agencies have experienced higher associated costs. Eligible expenses include overtime (excluding fringe benefits), meals, lodging, airfare, parking, car rental, or other transportation costs.
If a sheriff contracts with an independent prisoner transport service, the sheriff’s office can submit a copy of the paid invoice along with the completed request. Reimbursements also can be made to prosecutors’ offices if they cover these costs and to municipal law enforcement agencies if they are directed to return offenders.
To apply for reimbursement, agencies should complete the extradition process and file an Absconded Sex Offender Extradition Reimbursement Request along with all applicable receipts and documentation. For a copy of the request form, visit
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/BCI and click on SORN-NET under “Related.” Completed applications can be emailed to
Intel@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
For more information: Contact Cindy Peterman concerning program details or Erika Scott about the reimbursement process. Both can be reached at 855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446). The program runs through March 2014 or until funds are exhausted.
Send DNA collection kits to CODIS to prevent delays
To further enhance turnaround times, BCI’s CODIS Unit no longer sends DNA collection kits to third-party vendors for the completion of certain administrative tasks. To prevent unnecessary delay of CODIS entries, please return any DNA collection kits without a BCI mailing label to BCI CODIS Unit, 1560 State Route 56 SW, London, OH 43140. Contact
CODIS@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov to order new DNA collection kits or with any questions or concerns regarding the analysis of these kits.
Deadlines approaching for Ohio Veterans Bonus
Dec. 31 is the deadline for veterans of the Persian Gulf War era to apply for the Ohio Veterans Bonus, while veterans of the Iraq War era have until the end of 2014 to apply. Ohio voters approved a $200 million bond issue in 2009 to fund bonuses for veterans of those wars and the Afghanistan War.
The Ohio Veterans Bonus is available to military service members and veterans who entered the military from Ohio and are residents of the state at the time they apply. They must have served on active duty under honorable conditions for more than 90 days (not for training) anywhere in the world during one of these periods:
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Persian Gulf: Aug 2, 1990, through March 3, 1991
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Iraq: March 19, 2003, through Dec. 31, 2011
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Afghanistan: Oct 7, 2001, through a date yet to be determined
For more information, call 877-644-6838 or visit
www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov. Veterans of any era of military service who have questions about benefits they’ve earned are urged to contact their county veterans service office.