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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior that includes the use or threat of violence and intimidation for the purpose of gaining power and control over another person. Violence is characterized by physical abuse, sexual abuse, economic abuse, isolation, emotional abuse, control or verbal abuse.
Facts:
Domestic Violence is the number one persons crime in Mesa.
As of July 1, 2009 there have been 79 Domestic Violence related deaths in Mesa since 2000. (AZCADV report.)
Only 20% of Domestic Violence gets reported to police. (NCADV.org)
Where To Go For Help
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Contacs Shelter Hotline 1-800-799-7739
Mesa Police Department Victim Services 480-644-4075
All calls are confidential.
During October, the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence puts together a community activity list of all state and local events that bring awareness to the problem of Domestic Violence. Visit www.azcadv.org/events.php?month=1 or call Andrea Sierra, Mesa Police Victim Services at 480-644-4675 for information on local events.
Kaity's Law...
...will take effect September 30, 2009. This law includes dating violence relationships in the Arizona Domestic Violence statute and affords victims in dating violence relationships the same protection.
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Parents, do your children stay home alone for short times before and/or after school?
If so, please remind them to keep the doors and windows locked at all times and not to open the door to ANYONE. If someone is knocking, have them look out the door eye viewer to determine who is there. If it is not someone you have pre-approved to be in your home when you are not, your children should be instructed to yell out, "My parents are busy. Please go away." It is important that the person at the door knows the home is occupied and thinks there are adults in the home. This is an important deterrent to residential burglaries. Your child's safety when they are home alone, even just for a few minutes, is of utmost importance. Have specific house rules and review them with your child often. Make sure you have a fire escape plan, as well as an emergency escape plan, and practice "what if?" with them. For additional information, contact your Mesa Police Department crime prevention officer (numbers below). You may also find information on the Web at www.mesaaz.gov/police/literature/default.aspx.
Do You Own A Truck Or Large Vehicle?
If you do, please be aware that large vehicles, including F250's, F350's and the like, continue to be stolen and taken across state lines. On October 1, the Mesa Police Department's Central, Red Mountain, Dobson and Superstition Districts will be holding a "Watch Your Car" free registration event, for vehicles registered in Arizona, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Stop by, get your vehicle registered in the Watch Your Car program for free, pick up some give-away items and maybe even a snack for the road!
The Watch Your Car program is designed to ensure the driver of the vehicle is the registered owner or family member, and not a car thief. Vehicles displaying the Watch your Car sticker are stopped within one mile of the International borders to confirm the identity of the driver. For more information on this program, or to register for free online, visit www.azwatchyourcar.com or contact your crime prevention officer (numbers below).
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Crime Prevention Contacts
Should you have any questions about securing your home and property, personal safety, business security, Operation Identification, child safety, request a speaker, Neighborhood Watch, or any other crime prevention issues, please contact your district crime prevention officer. All our literature can be found online at www.mesaaz.gov/police/literature/default.aspx.
Central District (Broadway north to city limits/Horne west to city limits)
Patty Gallagher
480-644-2033
patty.gallagher@mesaaz.gov
Dobson District (Broadway south to city limits/Horne west to city limits)
Jerry Quarles
480-644-2539
jerry.quarles@mesaaz.gov
Red Mountain District (east of Horne and west of Higley/north and south to city limits)
Lindy Marino
480-644-3921
melinda.marino@mesaaz.gov
Superstition District (east of Higley to city limits/north and south to city limits)
Terri Teten
480-644-3692
terri.teten@mesaaz.gov
Metro Resources / Elder Abuse / Fraud
Karen Stegenga
480-644-5014
karen.stegenga@mesaaz.gov 09-2009 |
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