(Editor’s note: The information in this special series is for educational purposes only and is not intended to address any particular case, nor should any articles be taken as legal advice. Always consult with an attorney on any legal matter.) With the passing of Mickey Swackhamer, we are left with a void.
Mickey had a larger-than-life personality. And professionally, she was the face of victim services — both because of her tenacity and also her longevity at the YWCA. I thought this week’s Q&A should focus on the benefits of a small community on criminal investigations and how the familiarity of the people in the various systems benefit all of us as a community.
Most people are familiar with many of the agencies we have in the county — from Children and Youth Services to the Guidance Center and many in between. And I think most people know these agencies work together. I think a lot of people think we are disadvantaged here due to a lack of resources.
That may be partially true but we make up for that in other ways. I wanted to shed light on the actual working relationships of the people in all of these agencies that can be pointed to when we see a successful case – whether that’s an offender being convicted at trial or a person who is unable to care for themselves finding a placement with services in place. Of course, I have the best view from the criminal justice angle but I know each agency’s goals are more likely to be met by the small town relationships th.