Sheriff`s Corner

Hi everyone. This week's Sheriff's Corner will be the first of several dealing with the topic of Domestic Violence. Our office is called to investigate domestic disturbances and other domestic violence crimes all too often. Domestic violence is one of the most potentially dangerous situations law enforcement handles. Not to mention the trauma and danger to the actual victims of these crimes.

Nationally speaking, the cost annually for medical services is 1.8 Billion dollars. Here at the Levy County Sheriff's Office, domestic violence touches most of the sections that work here. Our patrol deputies investigate the initial call. Very often Criminal Investigations Division picks up on the more extensive cases as well as investigate the child abuse aspects when they occur.

From 10/01/02 to 03/31/03 our office came in contact with 196 primary unduplicated victims. Every one of these victims represents at least one crime and maybe more that have to be investigated to completion. In fact, every crime category went down last year except domestic violence. Some of the noteworthy categories that showed increases are aggravated assault up 25%, simple assault up 3%, threat and intimidation up 140%. These figures are frightening and a very important focus of this agency.

So, in the next few weeks I'd like to tell you about this crime and what we do to help the victims. I'll include information about injunctions, some of the signs and warning flags of domestic violence and some of the other crimes that are often associated with domestic violence including child abuse, sex crimes etc. In fact we have investigated several arsons in connection with domestic violence.

If after reading this first corner, you have some specific questions about this area, let me know and I'll make sure you get an answer. Thank you and take care.