FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            CONTACT:    Karla Weikal
07012009027                                                                                       862-8235

DAVIDSON COUNTY VICTIM NOTIFICATION NUMBER CHANGES
VINE program for victim information and notification is now TN SAVIN

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall announced today a change in the toll free number that tells victims if an offender is in jail.  The new statewide number 1-888-868-4631 is effective in Davidson County July 1, and also provides other important custody information.  Victims and other concerned citizens who are already registered do not have to register again using the new number.

            The program, formerly known as Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), is now Tennessee Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (TN SAVIN).  It is designed to reach out and bridge the gap between crime victims and the criminal justice system.  It centers around a 24-hour automated hotline which provides up-to-the-minute information regarding all offenders in the Davidson County jail, including the CCA/Metro Detention facility.

            “Since 1998, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office has participated in this program.  There is no difference in service between VINE and TN SAVIN – the only change is the number,” Hall said.  “In addition to convenience for victims, we will save $50,000 annually by becoming part of the statewide program.”

            According to Hall, legislation signed into law adds a $1 privilege tax on criminal cases to fund the TN SAVIN service.  This allowed Davidson County’s program to be rolled into TN SAVIN and it is no longer funded through the county’s budget.  Additionally, the change provides Tennessee crime victims and other concerned citizens with access to a single toll free number for offender custody status information.

           “Merging Davidson County into the statewide system will make data from Tennessee’s second most populated county more readily available to other jurisdictions, improving law enforcement agencies’ ability to locate offenders.  Also, victims and other concerned citizens who were previously unsure of an offender’s location had to search our system as well as the state system to locate an offender.  Now, the information is easily accessible with one number,” Hall said.

           TN SAVIN monitors the status of inmates by way of an automated interface with computers at the jail.  The 24-hour a day system immediately notifies a crime victim when the person by whom he or she was victimized has a change in custody status.  Notification calls continue for 24 hours or until the correct victim has been contacted.  Victims use a Personal Identification Number (PIN) when registering, and the only way a notification call can be stopped is by entering the assigned PIN.

           “This is certainly a great system but will not work if we do not have accurate information.  I encourage anyone who is a victim of crime when registering to provide the most reliable information possible,” Hall added.  “This program is just one step when ensuring your personal safety in a bad situation.  If someone feels they are at risk, they should take additional precautions such as contacting the Metro Police Department’s Domestic Violence Division.  Those in immediate danger should dial 911.”

           To date, 75 Tennessee counties have signed up for the SAVIN program and 59 of those are operational.  The former VINE number will be available through September.  After that, callers to the Davidson County VINE number will be automatically transferred to the TN SAVIN number.  On average, the Davidson County system receives 3,700 new registrations a month and sends over 1,300 notifications.

            Victims who need to register should call 1-888-868-4631 or go to www.vinelink.com.
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