Coming to the aid of crime victims

May 2, 2008 - I’m writing this letter to the Times and Democrat to let Janie Johnson know what Gilda Cobb-Hunter has done for me and my family.

A very close family member was a victim of a dreadful crime, and my family couldn’t get in touch with anybody who was supposed to be handling the case. No one would even return our calls from the victim assistance unit.

My family didn’t know what else we could do. We were at our wits end! My sister suggested that I call Gilda Cobb-Hunter because she knew how passionate Gilda was about victims of crime. I called Gilda’s number, left a message and the very next day she returned my call. I told Gilda how this certain family member was being treated and how discouraged we were about how things were being handled.

I also told Gilda that it had been one month and six days since our family member had last talked to or heard from our assigned victims advocate, who promised to call every week to see how the “victim” was doing. Gilda was truly upset about our plight, and I could tell that she really cared about my family’s feelings because she let me vent my frustrations. Gilda was so kind when she talked to me and she didn’t try to hurry me along like some people in politics do. She told me that she would look into the matter and get my family member the help we were supposed to have from law enforcement.

I thanked Gilda and told her that I was sorry for having to bother her since I knew she was a busy woman. Gilda told me, “Don’t ever be or say you are sorry for calling me. It’s my job to help anyone who needs it.” Later that same day the phone was ringing off the hook, and I finally got to talk to the people who were handling my family members case and the treatment a victim deserved.

Gilda called the next day to see if anyone called, and I’m proud to say that she still calls to check on my family. I’m sorry to burst your bubble Janie, but Gilda Cobb-Hunter has been a “person above politics” long before Priscilla Glover chose that slogan for her campaign.

- Denise T. Metts, Rowesville