Victim impact panel sets New Richmond gathering

Talk about it

The St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program victim impact panel will meet in New Richmond promptly at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2.

Victim impact panels address the impacts that impaired driving can have on individuals and communities.

Attendance at such a panel is required for motorists wishing to restore driving privileges after a drunk driving offense.

Not only offenders attend, however. Community members are also invited.

The monthly victim impact panels are held throughout the area, serving 400-500 people annually.

In 2011, the St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

A decade ago, a small group of interested individuals wanted to promote the use of Restorative Justice as an alternative for victims and offenders. In 2004 the mission statement, “To build and sustain a culture of peace and belonging utilizing restorative justice principles and programs in our community,” was officially adopted.

Currently, SCVRJP is staffed by an executive director, part-time volunteer coordinator a contracted bookkeeper, office volunteers and student interns.

SCVRJP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving Pierce and St. Croix counties in Western Wisconsin. The Board of Directors meets monthly and is actively involved in governance and oversight of the program.

“We wanted to embed restorative justice into the community. From schools to diversion and in aspects of court ordered services,” said SCVRJP Executive Director Kris Miner.

In the past three years the use of restorative justice in schools has expanded both in and beyond the River Falls District to Somerset, New Richmond, eastern Minnesota and across the state of Wisconsin.

Tags: crime and courts, news, crime, wisconsin