Sheriff's Office

Elderly Victim Assistance Program (EVAP)

WE CAN HELP

Everyday the judicial system puts its gears in motion and persons who commit crimes are caught and punished. But what about the victim? In almost every instance the victim is the forgotten party in the criminal justice system.
Of all of the victims of inner city crime, the elderly feel the stress and consequences of their victimization far beyond the actual crime itself.
The Chesapeake Sheriff's Office, in cooperation with the Chesapeake Senior Citizen Groups, has established an Elderly Victim Assistance Program that provides limited financial assistance and referral service to victims who qualify under the program's criteria.
In addition to the elderly victims, other victims regardless of age, can receive the same benefits; provided their income is at or below the poverty level, and the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office investigators decide there is a valid need.
Some of the types of losses reimbursed through the program are:

• Financial-cash or valuables
• Property damage
• Medical expenses due to injury
• EVAP is also associated with the Ruritans

EVAP Criteria

• Victim must be 60 years of age and/or unemployed or have an income at or below the poverty level.
• Victim must not have participated in executing the crime.
• Crime must be reported to police within seventy-two (72) hours.
• Victim must apply for compensation within two weeks.
• Victim must not be a relative or have a close personal relationship with the offender.
• Victim must cooperate with police and Commonwealth's Attorney in prosecution attempt.
• Victim must sustain a personal loss.
• Losses must be documented by records of ownership (personal property) or medical records in the case of injury.
• Victim must be a resident of Chesapeake.
• No loss of weapons will be reimbursed.
• The loss must have an essential effect on victim's most basic needs.