Enhancements to Statewide Victim Notification Service Made in Louisiana


Baton Rouge, LA, Nov. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In late August, the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE) launched a greatly enhanced version of Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). A free service provided by Appriss Safety, VINE is the nation’s leading victim notification network. VINE provides crime victims and concerned citizens access to timely and reliable offender custody information through a toll-free telephone number, website or mobile application. Users may also register to receive automated notifications relating to changes in custody status via telephone, email, or text message.

In addition to successfully implementing an enhanced version of VINE, Louisiana also engaged Appriss Safety to help increase efficiencies by developing an electronic version of the Louisiana Victim Notice and Registration (VNR) Form. The VNR Form is a mandated record used by law enforcement officers, district attorneys, court officials, victim service agencies, and jail facilities to register victims of specific crimes for offender notifications. The VNR Form is updated by various parties over time. Until Appriss piloted an electronic version in August, this form existed in physical form only.

VINE has been serving victims since 1994, and has continued to evolve through advancements in technology. The enhanced VINE service offers users innovative functionality and expanded access to victim services. A key, new feature is the VINE Service Provider Directory, which allows users to seek assistance and connect directly with both local and national victim service providers. To date, over 67 Louisiana service providers have joined the VINE Service Provider Directory.

Louisiana became the seventh state, nationwide, to implement the enhanced VINE service since its roll-out in May 2017.

“The Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement is proud to continue its partnership with Appriss Safety,” said LCLE Executive Director Jim Craft. “Through the launch of Enhanced VINE, we continue our commitment to support and protect victims of crime in Louisiana by providing access to timely and reliable offender information. The development of an electronic VNR Form will further ensure consistency and accuracy at every level of the criminal justice system. Such technological upgrades will better enable us to continue our efforts in victim safety and services.”

Josh Bruner, Appriss Safety President added, “Appriss has been a proud partner of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement for over 13 years. We are now excited to expand our relationship through the launch of Enhanced VINE, offering this new suite of VINE features and benefits to crime victims throughout Louisiana. We are equally thrilled to be able to work with the State of Louisiana to address additional victim-focused needs, such as the creation of an electronic VNR Form. All of these efforts are accomplished in light of a mutual goal: keeping victims safer through the power of information.”

2017 Louisiana VINE Figures:

  • 73,042 Louisianans registered to use VINE’s services.
  • 559,532 notifications were provided to Louisiana VINE users through outbound calls, emails, text messages and TTY, a device used to communicate with hearing or speech impaired individuals.
  • 2,369,848 offender and court case searches were conducted using the VINE website, inbound phone calls, and mobile applications

To access the enhanced Louisiana VINE service, visit www.vinelink.com.

To download the free VINELink mobile app, visit https://apprisssafety.com/solutions/vine/vinemobile/.

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