RIVERSIDE – DA Mike Hestrin has announced the cancellation of this year’s Victim Rights Week candlelight vigils in April due to the COVID-19 coronavirus health crisis.

 
“This was a difficult decision to make, but I know it is the right one,” Hestrin said. “I look forward to next year’s Victims’ Vigils after this public health crisis has passed.”

 
The candlelight vigils were originally scheduled for April 21-23 at three locations across the county. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Riverside County health officials recently said, in order to prevent the rapid spread of the virus, that events of more than 250 people should be canceled or postponed – especially those gatherings of people for whom the virus presents a greater risk. And the Centers for Disease Control has recommended that, for the next eight weeks, events consisting of more than 50 people be postponed or canceled.

 
“I agree with this directive as a preventive step to protect our staff, the victims’ families we serve, and the community at large,” Hestrin said.

 
New victim names will still be engraved on our Victims’ Memorial Wall located at our downtown Riverside office.