Victims of Property Crime in Boone County Can Now Meet the Offenders

Boone County, IL - The teenagers who damaged more than 150 headstones at the Belvidere Cemetery in August will meet face to face next month with the deceaseds family members who visit those sites. "We`re trying to pull those victims together to give them a chance to come in and talk to these kids about the devastation they saw and how it affected their lives," says Jim Hursh, Boone County States Attorney. Hursh is kicking off the new Victim Offender Meeting Program. He says it will start at the juvenile level. People 16 years old and under who are convicted of property crimes, such as damaging a car or home, will have to meet with their victim. "The offender can be court ordered to do it," says Hursh. "The victim can only do it if they agree." "I believe with all my heart that victims need closure," says Reverend Don Norek, Executive Director of the Belvidere Outreach Mission. Norek will be moderating the meetings. "Call it a referee," says Norek. He doesnt foresee any problems since the cases have already been decided, but hes prepared for wounds to be opened and lives to be changed. "We can possibly take something bad and make it into something good and productive," says Norek. "Hopefully the effect on the juvenile will be a chance to see how they have affected someone`s life," says Hursh. "It`s not just a stone. It`s not just a house. It`s a residence, it`s where people live." The first meeting is Dec. 14th between the victims and offenders in the Belvidere Cemetery vandalism case.