Many are still feeling the aftermath from State budget cuts. And some programs that solely rely on Government subsidies are finding themselves out of luck.
With steep cuts to state funding applying for grants has become very competitive with many vying for assistance.
The cuts have eliminated programs including one Waseca Police Chief Penny Vought didn't even see coming.
Waseca Police Chief, Penny Vought says, "We were notified that it was a possibility that agencies would not receive funding or there would be a cut in funding. But we knew that our program was very successful and has helped a lot of people but we weren't concerned until we got the letter."
The department received that letter informing them there will be no more funding for crime victim services forcing the 42,000 dollar program to end September 30th. They've already had to turn away some people trying to obtain a harassment restraining order. While law enforcement says they need to remain objective, advocates created a bridge between the legal system and innocent victims.
Captain for Waseca Police Department, Kris Markeson says, " It's confusing, it's slow, it can be frustrating and the advocate helped people understand and smooth out a lot of things."
The purpose of the Waseca County General Crimes Victims Office was to assist those by advocating for their safety, healing, justice and restitution. But that which helped over 800 people each year has ended. It leaves general crime victims without an advocate to turn to.
And safety officials are shocked that funding was eliminated after 12 years.
Markeson says, "It was devastating simply because we have a person to turn to and she took care of a lot of things for us that we couldn't help people with but she could."
Now victims may be forwarded to Office of Justice programs or Le Sueur or Brown county but there's no guarantees they'll get the help.
They are able to reapply for the grant after five years. Several other southern Minnesota counties also had their funding cut.
