Members of the community who have lost a loved one to crime or violence can pay tribute to and memorialize their lives this Thursday in Cape Coral.

On April 11, the Cape Coral Police Department’s Victim Advocate Assistance Unit will host its annual Candlelight Ceremony at 7 p.m. at department headquarters.

“The Cape Coral Police Department holds this vigil every year to honor crime victims, survivors, and anyone who’s been lost as a result of crime,” said CCPD Public Affairs Officer Lisa Greenberg. “It’s our way of showing support to those victims and families who have lost loved ones, and help them heal.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring a framed photo of their loved one with them to the vigil. Each year, the vigil helps heal never-fully-reparable wounds that come with losing someone dear. But, it is important to remember.

“Our goal is to help the community remember their loved ones and heal,” CCPD officials said.

Greenberg stated that CCPD, in its effort to correct the injustices that have been perpetrated against crime victims, has a well-established Victim Assistance Program.

“This is a 24 hour on-call service, which assures a victim advocate is available to respond on scene to serious crimes, to offer crisis intervention, emotional support and assistance to a victim,” she said. “An advocate may also contact victims of crimes following the initial response by officers and provide them with follow-up information, assistance, referral and reassurance that someone cares. Whether on-scene or during follow-up, a victim advocate may be able to decrease the victims’ feelings of isolation, as well as educate victims about their rights and ultimately to help them deal with the aftermath of the crime.”

Greenberg added that an advocate can help a victim understand how the judicial system works, assist a victim in obtaining information pertaining to their case and access benefits under the State of Florida Victim Compensation Program.

Those who plan to attend can RSVP to the Victim’s Assistance Unit by calling 239-574-0656, or by sending an email to cseymour@capecoral.gov. CCPD headquarters is at 1100 Cultural Park Blvd.