'You never walk alone': Jacksonville recognizes Crime Victims' Rights Week

Dan Scanlan, Florida Times-Union
·4 min read
Crime victim Jimmy L. Smith speaks about the 1990 armed robbery and gunshots that left him paralyzed during Monday's National Crime Victims' Rights Week kickoff at City Hall. Smith now works for the city's Disabled Services Division.
Crime victim Jimmy L. Smith speaks about the 1990 armed robbery and gunshots that left him paralyzed during Monday's National Crime Victims' Rights Week kickoff at City Hall. Smith now works for the city's Disabled Services Division.

The butterflies will rise into the sky about 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Jacksonville's Families of Slain Children, each one remembering a son or daughter who was a victim of crime.

Beverly McLain, founder of the nonprofit after son Andre Johnson was killed in 2006, said the annual butterfly release will be "a healing visual" for the estimated 100 people at the event at 2212 N. Myrtle Ave. It's also a fitting way to end Victims' Rights Week, kicked off Monday by the mayor and others.

"It is powerful and unbelievable, a very humbling experience as the child won't be forgotten no matter what happens," McLain said at Monday's ceremony at City Hall, which she said should remind everyone to remember those killed and injured by crime this and every day.

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"It is their parents, their loved one taken away from them so abruptly," McLain said. "You can't forget. My son was in my life for 28 years and I can't forget him. Not a day goes by that I don't wake up remembering him."

As he opened and closed Monday's event with prayers, the Rev. James Boddie, co-chairman of the Mayor's Victim Assistance Advisory Council, said the community must come together to remember victims and stand in support of their families.

"For our victims, for our law enforcement and first responders, for community leaders, we need to remind ourselves that we stand for the rights of victims," Boddie said. "We stand against crime and against violence, and ask the community as we come together that we address that issue and let the survivors know that you never walk alone."

Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council chairwoman Nicoa Garett (standing at podium left) helps kick off Jacksonville's observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at City Hall.
Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council chairwoman Nicoa Garett (standing at podium left) helps kick off Jacksonville's observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at City Hall.

The advisory council annually recognizes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with multiple events involving local nonprofit agencies that help those impacted by crime. Police, prosecutors and city officials joined family members and victims themselves in offering support.

This week recognizes every victim and the effect that crime has on the community, said Nicoa Garett, advisory council chairwoman.

"It also focuses on developing and advancing laws, policies and programs that help victims of crime," she said.

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State Attorney Melissa Nelson said her prosecutors and staff annually help thousands of crime victims "find their justice."

"For survivors the road to justice is much more uncertain and it can only be navigated with access to information, support from our community partners and understanding and courage to step forward," Nelson said, then announced that work has begun on a memorial wall at her office at 311 W. Monroe St.

"It highlights crime survivors, their families and their stories," she said.

Wearing a T-shirt honoring her son, Timothy Thomas Jr., Robin Clemons came to support Monday's kickoff of Jacksonville’s observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at City Hall. Thomas was shot and killed on Sept. 29 on West Ninth Street, police said.
Wearing a T-shirt honoring her son, Timothy Thomas Jr., Robin Clemons came to support Monday's kickoff of Jacksonville’s observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at City Hall. Thomas was shot and killed on Sept. 29 on West Ninth Street, police said.

Robin Clemons was in the audience Monday wearing a T-shirt honoring her son, Timothy Thomas Jr. The 31-year-old was shot and killed on Sept. 29 on West Ninth Street, police said.

"Things like this helps a lot. I want answers of what happened to my son," Clemons said. "The loss of my son is draining."

Among Monday's speakers was Jimmy L. Smith, shot on April 21, 1990, by gunmen trying to rob him outside his home. Now a program coordinator at Jacksonville's Disabled Services division, he said he "hasn't walked since" but has found his path with help from therapists and others.

"Over those years it was very hard to forgive the perpetrators who did this," Smith said from his wheelchair. "But along the way, I forgave them as I listened to my pastor preaching of forgiveness. Because if I don't forgive them, I won't' be forgiven for my sins. So I want to thank those who made an impact in my life."

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This year's Victims' Rights Week events include an 8:30 a.m. Tuesday "Court System: Pre-COVID, COVID and Now" seminar, plus a 10 a.m. "Hearing and Elevating the Voices of Youth" panel discussion, both at the Main Library at 303 N. Laura St. The National Crime Victims' Rights Week Annual Awards Luncheon also is planned for Tuesday at the library.

Times-Union photographer Corey Perrine contributed to this report.

dscanlan@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4549

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Seminars and other victim aid events held this week in Jacksonville