For the last 11 years, Adina Adair has helped crime victims and their families in Palo Pinto County recover emotionally, physically and financially. She is pictured on the left with Wednesday's program chair Stacie Frye.
Adina works in the District Attorney's Office, led by DA Kriste Burnett. Adina's talk with Rotary Club on Wednesday focused largely on Texas' Crime Victims Compensation program, which Adina says is one of the best – if not the best – crime victims assistance programs in the nation.
The state program has been in place for 40 years. In its first year, $417,000 in payments were made on behalf of 128 victims. Last year, in 2020, there were 38,051 applications for assistance filed by Texas crime victims with $68.1 million awarded to or on behalf of crime victims and their families.
Palo Pinto County crime victims have received their share. Over the last five years, Adina said $226,732.98 has gone to local crime victims and their families that help them with costs associated with crime victimization such as funeral or hospitalization costs, property replacement, loss of income and more.
Texans can also file for assistance if they are the victim of a crime outside Texas and there is no or little victim assistance available there.
Texas' crime victims monies are funded by state-imposed fees and fines and federal grants. Jurors can donate their service pay to the fund, and many do. There are also miscellaneous donations, interest and other revenue sources. Last year the state's compensation fund took in $91.6 million.
Adina said most people aren't aware of the fund and help available until they become the victim of a crime. Once a crime is filed by a local law enforcement agency, Adina is typically notified and immediately goes to work with the victims and their families to learn their needs and how she can help them begin to recover.
She also stays with families throughout the investigative and prosecutorial process. At trial, she is often seen sitting in the courtroom with victims and families providing advocacy and personal support and comfort. Adina works closely with the district attorney, County Attorney (and Rotarian) Maegan Kostiha and local law enforcement.
Not touched on at Wednesday's meeting was that Adina also organizes an annual “Tree of Angels” event in December. The program typically includes songs from a Mineral Wells High School chorale ensemble, a guest speaker, and local crime victims and their families hanging ornaments on a Christmas tree in their honor and memory so that they are not forgotten at such an important time of year for families. The beautifully-trimmed tree is topped by a large angel.
Hopes are you or someone you know and love does not become the victim, or victims, of a criminal act, but sadly you likely will. Counties throughout Texas have crime victims assistance coordinators, and Palo Pinto County residents and victims have Adina ready to step in and help.
Rotary Club of Mineral Wells meets every Wednesday at noon at Southside Church of Christ. Lunches are catered by Sadie's Eats. Meetings are for club members, prospective members and invited guests.