LAPLACE — A crowd of more than 30 people trekked a mile through the wind and drizzling rain Saturday morning to show solidarity for victims of violent crimes who brave the storm every day amid a complicated criminal justice system.

Hosted by the St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney’s Office, the inaugural Crime Victim’s Awareness Walk was held in LaPlace and attracted participants from as far away as Moss Point, Miss.

District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut was thrilled with the turnout, and she said the love and support shown within the local community proves crime victims are never alone in their fight.

“We have not tapped into the best resource we have in St. John the Baptist Parish, and that’s the people of St. John,” Dinvaut said. “When we come together as a community, we can do anything. I appreciate and applaud the people who had the courage to still come out in the weather.”

The inclement weather symbolized the challenges victims must face every day, from lengthy trials to dissecting complex legal terminology, according to Dinvaut.

Edie Triche, mother of fallen St. John the Baptist Parish officer Jeremy Triche, was one of many who walked in solidarity on Saturday.

She said it is important to her to attend and give back to a community that has been there for her family.

“We had a lot of people that supported us, including the district attorney,” Triche said.

“She’s there for us, and we’re still going through trials. It’s important for all community members to get together.

“The support of the community is the only way we can get through what we’ve been through.”

During the event, participants were given gift bags containing T-shirts, water bottles, wristbands, hand sanitizers and educational information about serving as a witness in a criminal trial.

Dinvaut said educational information fit in with the 2018 national theme, “Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims.”

Organizer Jennifer Duhe said the District Attorney’s Office would continue hosting awareness walks and other events annually in recognition of National Crime Victim’s Rights Week.