MONTEREY COUNTY — Join members of the community in honoring victims of crime on Friday, April 11, from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Monterey County Courthouse courtyard, located at 142 W. Alisal St., in Salinas.
The event will feature Maria Alcantar as the inspirational speaker. She is the mother of Azahel Cruz, an innocent 6-year-old child who was murdered in 2010 resulting from gang violence.
In addition, the ceremony will invite survivors to announce the names of their loved ones lost to homicide. Doves will be released in memory of all victims of crime.
A special video presentation honoring victims of homicide in Monterey County will also be available at facebook.com/montereyda.
During the week of April 6-12, crime victims, survivors and those who serve them will join across the United States to promote victims’ rights and services, and to educate communities about the devastating impact crime has on victims, neighborhoods, schools and the nation.
Since 1978, the Monterey District Attorney’s Office Victims of Crime Unit has worked diligently with victims to uphold their rights, assist them with the court process, and help them access compensation programs so they can better cope with the aftermath of crime. In 2024, the unit provided over 31,214 mandated services to over 3,659 new crime victims.
The 2025 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week not only honors victims of crime but the many agencies that assist them.
For additional information, contact Victim Witness Program Manager Alma Sanchez at 831-755-5072.
