Dateline: November 20, 2003

Commissioners okay Texas VINE program

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Donley County Commissioners approved implementation of a new service Monday that will allow crime victims to be notified automatically when the felon in their case is released from jail.

Chris Jones, whose Louisville, Ken., company developed the VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) program, said in the called meeting that full funding for the project comes through the Texas Attorney General’s office.

The Texas VINE will upload booking information from the sheriff’s department into a state database, which can be accessed by the public. Anyone will be able to call a toll free number 24 hours a day to find the custody status of a prisoner as well as upcoming court dates for that prisoner.

People can also register with VINE free of charge to be automatically notified any time there is a change in a prisoner’s status. The system, which will eventually be implemented statewide, will be updated every 15 minutes.

Jones said the attorney general’s office would provide a computer for the sheriff’s department and also provide for the software and training for local personnel.

VINE will also allow the local sheriff’s office to automate its booking system, which currently is not computerized.

A date was not given as to when the system would be operational.

In other county business, the commissioners’ court met in regular session November 10 to discuss several items.

The court considered taking action on casting the county’s votes for the Donley Appraisal Board but delayed that agenda item until December 8.

Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the county’s participation in the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission’s FY03 Regional Hazard Mitigation Planning Project.

A resolution was also approved which authorizes a representative of the Texas Comptroller’s office to explain the new GASB 34 accounting rules to each county office holder.

The court also voted in favor of accepting a proposal from Creative Cuts of Cleburne for a new 36-inch plaque depicting the state seal and the words “County of Donley” to be hung behind the judge’s bench in the district courtroom. The plaque will be paid for with money from the courthouse restoration fund.