For the City-Times

Portage County recently began providing petitioners who have obtained temporary restraining orders (TRO) the opportunity to receive phone and/or email notifications when their TRO has been served by law enforcement on the respondent.  By taking advantage of the recent completion and statewide activation of the WI-VINE automated victim notification service throughout Wisconsin’s 72 county jails, the addition of the protective order notification service is another valuable investment in personal and public safety.

“Enhancing public safety and protecting the citizens of Portage County are always our highest priorities,” Charewicz said.  “The VINE Protective Order service delivers an added level of security because it gives petitioners access to timely and accurate notification when their temporary restraining order has been served on the respondent.”

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, approximately 1.3 million individuals are victimized by domestic violence annually and an estimated 900,000 protective orders are issued each year. Of the countless petitioners who have been re-victimized or killed by their abusers, many did not know whether their orders had been served.  The time immediately after a protective order (temporary restraining order or injunction) is served can be particularly dangerous for the petitioner.  The respondent may react violently after being served, putting the petitioner at serious risk.  Giving the petitioner early notification that their order has been served will encourage them to inform law enforcement and seek assistance immediately if the respondent violates the restraining order.  Sheriff Charewicz believes that knowing that the order has been served on a timely basis will also allow the petitioner to better protect themselves and implement their safety plan.

Petitioners throughout Portage County who are interested in receiving an automated phone and/or email notification regarding the service of their protective order are encouraged to call

1-855-WI VPO 4U (1-855-948-7648) or log on to www.vinelink.com, click on the Wisconsin map, then click WI Statewide County Jails and then on the “Protective Order” tab on the left side of the screen.  To complete the voluntary registration process the petitioner will need the 12 digit CCAP case number, county that issued their TRO and the respondents First and Last name.

In addition, live operator assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for callers who have questions or require additional help.

During the course of the next three months Sheriff Charewicz will be joined by Sheriffs from across Wisconsin in the activation of the VINE Protective Order service that was funded through a $500,000 enhancement grant provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.  Wisconsin is proud to join seven other states across the country that are offering domestic violence victims an additional safety net against potentially dangerous individuals in their communities through the VINE Protective Order service.