BOPP Tree-Planting Events Honor Victims of Crime

Events Commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week 

NASHVILLE – For the fourth consecutive year, the Board of Probation and Parole (BOPP) is planting trees across Tennessee to raise awareness of the importance of crime victims’ rights during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 22 - 28). Nashville’s observance took place today at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Other events are scheduled in Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, Jackson, Clarksville and Johnson City.

BOPP Chairman Charles Traughber said the agency places a high priority on providing victim services. “Input from victims of crime is an important part of parole review,” said Traughber. “We have 18 victim coordinators in offices statewide who serve victims every day. And we hold these events each year to remind crime victims that we are here to assist them, and to raise awareness in the community that crime victims deserve to be heard.”

During each event, the Board honors victim advocates with Voice for Victims awards. This year’s honoree in Davidson County is Susan Tucker, who works in the office of District Attorney General Torry Johnson. The statewide award was presented to Virginia Trimble Ritter, mother of murder victim Marcia Trimble. Mrs. Ritter also provided the keynote address for the Nashville tree-planting ceremony.

This year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme is Extending the Vision – Reaching Every Victim. “Our victim coordinators reach out by notifying victims of upcoming hearings, referring them to counseling agencies and sometimes, assisting them in giving testimony by video,” said Tina Fox, BOPP’s Victim Services Director. “They also provide them with victim impact statement forms, listen to their concerns and help them navigate the parole system.”

A complete list of events is attached to this release.

The Board of Probation and Parole (www.tn.gov/bopp/) is an independent seven-member board whose members are appointed by the Governor. The Board is charged with the responsibility of deciding which eligible felony offenders will be granted parole and released from incarceration to community-based supervision. Along with the supervision of those granted parole, the Board is also responsible for supervising felony offenders who are placed on state-supervised probation by criminal courts.