UPDATE
Dec. 14, 2005 --
 

Local media are reporting that a suspect has been apprehended near Atlanta in connection with the recent abduction of an agency employee.
 
Meanwhile, the employee plans to return to work.
 
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselors met recently with the victim's co-workers. Personal safety training is being planned for interested staff. 
 
A special thanks to those who have offered donations and support to the employee.




Dec. 6, 2005 -- Agency Director Rick Roberts today issued this statement to agency employees regarding the tragic abduction of one of our staff yesterday morning...

 

To all JFS staff –

 

By now, all of you know that on Monday morning, a JFS employee was attacked while on her way to work. With this memo, I will update you on what we know about this crime and share what this agency intends to do to help keep employees safe.  We will continue to provide updates as needed on JFSWEB.

 

First, I know I speak for everyone in expressing anger over this attack and sadness for the victim and her family.  She has been through a horrifying experience and is fortunate to have escaped with her life. I think all of us have been alarmed by the fact that she was approached in broad daylight, in a busy parking lot, by a man with a gun.  We all hear of such incidents, but it’s especially frightening when it hits close to home.

 

The victim’s supervisor has been in touch with her husband and will continue to check on her recovery process.  The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has been contacted to determine whether we are eligible for a special support session to be held for the victim’s co-workers.

 

 As you may have heard on the news today, Cincinnati Police have named a suspect in the case. Tyrone “Yogi” Franklin is charged with aggravated robbery, kidnapping and rape. As of this writing, police are still searching for Franklin, but the victim’s vehicle has been found.

 

I’d like to clarify information about where the abduction took place. Some media reports said the victim was near the entrance to our building at 222 E. Central Parkway. In fact, she was at the payment box in one of the parking lots on Sycamore Street across from the county parking garage.  It was quick-thinking on the part of another employee to alert his supervisor that he saw what appeared to be the victim’s truck being driven out of the parking lot by a man. That – and the fact that the employee had left for work that morning, but had not arrived – was all we knew until the media began reporting the attack around noon.

 

Today, members of the JFS executive team met to discuss ways to improve employee safety.

We have talked with sheriff’s department officials and been assured that our contract can be expanded to provide extra deputies around our building. We have asked for increased security around the A&D Building ...

 

We will continue to assess the situation as we work with county officials, Cincinnati Police and the Sheriff’s Department on the broader security concerns of Over-the-Rhine.  Improved security in our neighborhood is a community issue. JFS can provide security in and directly outside our buildings, but not for the public streets, or for county-managed property, such as the parking garage behind our building, or for private property in the area, such as parking lots.

 

To help protect yourself, it is a good idea to use the buddy system to and from the office, especially when it’s dark.  Pair up with a co-worker to walk to your car after work. If you can, arrange to meet in the morning too so you can walk to the building together.

 

We also encourage everyone to learn as much as possible about tactics for personal safety. On JFSWEB, go to the Building Services section for the Employee Safety and Security Handbook and Tips for Improving Your Safety in the Field.  We’ve also added some excellent personal safety information from the Sheriff’s Department on the JFSWEB home page.

 

The County Personnel Department also offers a course called Personal Security, which 500 county employees have taken since the course was first offered in 2001. The executive team is also working to arrange special sessions of this training for JFS employees as well as the training provided by the Sheriff’s Department.  Details will be provided in an upcoming memo.

Employees have also been suggesting ideas for speakers and security measures, which we appreciate and will take under consideration.

 

This incident has shaken all of us, but I want you to know that employee safety is a paramount concern to this agency. We cannot protect people from every harm.  And each day, we have workers who risk their own safety to protect others who are even more vulnerable. What we can do is provide security in the immediate environs of our workplace and offer training in personal safety. This we will continue to do and improve.  Let’s continue to support each other during this difficult time and help each other to be safe.  Please watch JFSWEB for updates.

 

Rick Roberts