There’s a new car in the police fleet — a Toyota Prius, quiet and small but it’s having a big impact on the beat with Victim Services.
Dana Barter, program manager for Victim Services said the electric car was a little unusual to use at first but she’s pleased with the Prius, a hybrid electric mid-sized hatchback.
“You can hardly hear it. It took some time to get used to,” she said. “We’re pretty excited with it.”
Nelson Hydro and Nelson Toyota sponsored the car that arrived in the fleet mid-May. At that time, Victim Services had been without a car for about year.
Barter and Jane Clark, the assistant coordinator spend a great deal of time on the road travelling to the communities they serve throughout the West Kootenay. They’re on-call 24-7 so a reliable vehicle brings ease to this responsibility.
“When we were without a car, it was hard,” said Clark. “We are really thankful for this. It helps our community out so much.”
The duo has fun driving the four-door car they share with others in the detachment.
“It’s smooth and quiet and easy,” said Clark.
Victim Services is a unit working with the Nelson Police Department and the Nelson RCMP. Funding for the service comes from the Ministry of Solicitor General and the City of Nelson.
“We help people through the process,” said Clark. “We work with the police members in Nelson and area to provide confidential assistance to individuals who have been victimized by crime or tragedy.”
That assistance includes informing people about their case and providing resources that may assist them.
They also help people deal with the emotional impact of what’s happened to them.
“People are often surprised that reactions to trauma last longer than expected,” said Barter.
Victim Services can be contacted through the Nelson Police Department at 250-505-5657 or Nelson RCMP at 250-354-5196.