02-B Violent Crime Grant Amend - Laserfiche WebLink

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CJD Grant Application - Page 11 PART 6: PROJECT SUMMARY: Type the project summary here.. The City of Pads, Texas, has a population of approximately 25,000 people. The police department responded to more than 1200 calls involving domestic violence/viol?ce against women in 2000. The police department has found in the past that the specialization of un[ts within the poi[ce department has been successful. When the auto theft division was started, there was a 33% reduction in auto thefts the first year and approximately 60% reduction over the first four years of the division. Specialization does work. Admittedly, with a domestic violence unit, a reduction may not be seen for several years due to the fact that there is a stigma associated with domestic violence that makes it more difficult for these victims to report the crimes that they are victims of. The Crime Against Women Unit's goal, through community education presentations, will be to efim[nate the stigma and provide victims with information to remove themselves from the violence. Domestic violence is often under reported since the perpetrator often resides with the victim and the victim may love the perpetrator, thus, making it more difficult for the victim to come for,,vard than if this crime were perpetrated by a stranger that the victim does not have to face. As the existence of this program becomes more well known and the community is educated and gains confidence in the unit, a rise in the number of reported domestic violence cases will be seen. Due to the rise in the reports of violence, the po[ice officer will work diligentJy to increase the number of follow-up reports done, to insure prosecution for the perpetrator and justice for the victim. Through the continuing community education, the Family Haven liaison and the officer would seek to build the necessary public confidence that is so necessary to have a successful program combating domestic violence. The Family Haven liaison will continue to work hand in hand with the officer, providing emergency legal advocacy, emergency shelter, counseling and many other necessary services for those victims who require it and give those victims an option to leave their situation. The officer assigned to this unit will dedicate full time to the investigation of violent crimes against women and assist the victims of these crimes. Since most of these victims are female, many of them may find a police officer, especially a male officer in uniform, intimidating. The Family Haven liaison will continue to assist the police officer by acting as a buffer be[ween the often fragile victims and the criminal justice system. Additionally, the officer wilt act as a tiaison for the victims and the victims' advocates to the justice system to see that the victims get the best results possible. The officer will continue to work with the local county attorney's office, judges, and other local law enforcement officers to ensure the safety of the ¥ictim is the pdority to all facets of the system. Issue Date' October 2002