New York State Crime Victims Memorial

In April 1996, the New York State Crime Victims Memorial was placed on the north side of the Plaza near the Legislative Office Building. The limestone-and-calcite boulder permanently commemorates fallen victims of crime and their families, as well as survivors of crime, in New York State. A bronze plaque on the boulder reads:

"Dedicated to all New York State Men, Women and Children and their families who are victims of crime. May Justice Prevail.

The memorial was established through the efforts of Capital Region residents, families and friends of child victims, as well as local professionals involved in the crusade to prevent violence against children. They hope that the memorial will serve as a reminder of this issue and an encouragement to the community to join the effort to protect children from abuse and neglect. Materials and labor were donated by Ted Burek of Century Monuments, Rensselaer, New York.

The Memorial Walkway, a brick pathway from the crime victims memorial to the adjacent sidewalk, was dedicated on April 13, 1997. The Capital District Coalition for Crime Victim's Rights, an Albany-based group devoted to increasing public awareness of the effects of crime on its victims, placed the first bricks. Each brick is engraved with the name of a survivor or deceased victim of violent crime in New York State. Governor George E. Pataki commented at the dedication:

The effects of violent crime on its victims and their families are heartbreaking. We all share the sting of suffering violent-crime victims feel. This memorial demonstrates that they are not forgotten.