Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and providers of victims’ services have descended on the state capitol today for Operation Reach Out. Operation Reach Out is an informational fair designed to raise awareness for National Crime Victims Rights Week. Every April, law enforcement agencies come to the state capitol to set up informational booths displaying the various crime victim resources that are available.
The fair kicked off this year with an outstanding performance by the Lee’s Studio Dance Team. Today, approximately 700 students from Duval, Madison and Hayes middle schools will be participating in educational workshops such as Gang Prevention and Bullying as well as Internet Safety and Drug and Alcohol Prevention. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a K-9 demonstration and the always popular Charleston Fire Safety House. In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will set up a Child I.D. tent.
One of the more interesting events is the Choice Bus. The Choice bus, from Alabama, is designed to teach students the importance of staying in school. Half of the bus is outfitted to represent a prison bus and the other half is outfitted to represent a school bus.
The fair, organized by representatives of the Crime Victims Compensation Fund, is located at the courtyard of the capitol complex and will be there until 2 p.m.
