The Observation Deck

I think this is an very positive idea.

Domestic violence is one of the biggest problems we have in Lakewood, although it certainly isn't a localized issue, and it provides the kernel of chaos that drags the entire community down.

Sharon, Justine

To whatever degree my Family law background and experience with CPO's, spousal abuse, control, etc. would be helpful, I'm on board.

Jeff

Sharon, Justine

To whatever degree my Family law background and experience with CPO's, spousal abuse, control, etc. would be helpful, I'm on board.

Jeff

Likewise, here. No law degree but spent a year working in a shelter for women and children. I've seen, firsthand, the unbelievable devastation caused by abuse. So count me in.

If you do give a talk to school kids, I would almost suggest separate talks for the boys and girls.

Here's a point I think the boys might like to hear... Of the dozens and dozens of women that passed through our doors during my employment, nearly all were carrying weapons (guns, long knives, etc.) which their husbands/boyfriends/etc. didn't know they had.

Beajay,

Domestic Violence happens everywhere, and for the most part cannot be completely prevented. However, the significant aspect of what happened the other night was that neighbors got up, got out, and intervened. Having neighbors that care is what makes Lakewood a great city.

thank you for being a neighbor

Jim O'Bryan wrote:While we can all call these isolated incidents and they really are, it seems impossible to separate the stress of everyday life from the country and the region.

A similar situation happened on Parkwood last week.

It's good to know that it's no big deal and that there is nothing to worry about and that even if there is something to worry there is nothing that can be done about it.

The tipping point has been reached. At least by me anyway.

It's good to know that it's no big deal and that there is nothing to worry about and that even if there is something to worry there is nothing that can be done about it.

Show me a community that does not have problems with domestic violence and I'll show you a community that ignores reality.

the key question we might never be able to answer... Is Domestic Violence increasing in Lakewood, or is it just the reporting of Domestic Violence that is on the increase? The former is a bad thing, the latter is a good thing.

I really think we should get together then and form a group to do this in the schools. The seed has been planted (do you have room in your garden Jeff?). Yes Bret the boys should be separate and who better to hear it from than strong male role models in the community! Even if one child per speech/workshop gets something from it, it is worth it!

On a separate note, I HEARD that the city of Lakewood pays $80,000 a year for the Domestic Violence to Cleveland so as not to have a shelter here AND that we can't even get a Lakewood resident in sometimes! I also heard that a group tried to buy the motel on Clifton to turn into a shelter for DA but was refused. Does anyone know if this is true and could we get a place in this city for residents of Lakewood to go to in the crisis of domestic abuse, including children? Maybe we have one and it is a secret but I am curious.

On a separate note and I apologize for being off thread, but since all juveniles go to Cleveland and most get off after committing crimes, is there any chance that cities can have their own holding place for juveniles or do we have to go through Cleveland? If there is a rise in crimes committed by juveniles and they are not being taken in for lack of room, why can't a city have their own? Is it too much money? I would guess Lakewood could have one that housed fifty or even less, even twenty if they are violent so they are not on the street? Just a thought and Jeff may know this better as an attorney!

Justine Cooper wrote:I really think we should get together then and form a group to do this in the schools. The seed has been planted (do you have room in your garden Jeff?). Yes Bret the boys should be separate and who better to hear it from than strong male role models in the community! Even if one child per speech/workshop gets something from it, it is worth it!

On a separate note, I HEARD that the city of Lakewood pays $80,000 a year for the Domestic Violence to Cleveland so as not to have a shelter here AND that we can't even get a Lakewood resident in sometimes! I also heard that a group tried to buy the motel on Clifton to turn into a shelter for DA but was refused. Does anyone know if this is true and could we get a place in this city for residents of Lakewood to go to in the crisis of domestic abuse, including children? Maybe we have one and it is a secret but I am curious.

On a separate note and I apologize for being off thread, but since all juveniles go to Cleveland and most get off after committing crimes, is there any chance that cities can have their own holding place for juveniles or do we have to go through Cleveland? If there is a rise in crimes committed by juveniles and they are not being taken in for lack of room, why can't a city have their own? Is it too much money? I would guess Lakewood could have one that housed fifty or even less, even twenty if they are violent so they are not on the street? Just a thought and Jeff may know this better as an attorney!

Lakewood allocates funds to a shelter in Cleveland through federal block grant funds. I assume a grant was made again this year. Lakewood takes DV cases very seriously. The shelter is needed in acute situations where the offender has not yet been arrested. Because we have good enforcement, I'm not sure we need a separate facility. The Court and probation office are the experts on this.

The County Juvenile Court has sole jurisdiction over juvenile offenders and the County is responsible for providing detention facilities, which since the 70's have been insufficient given the level of juvenile offenders. Lakewood could not afford to run a juvenile detention facility. (We do not have enough space for adult offenders.) I believe the Chief advised the new County Detention facility will have "more beds" but will be immediately inadequate -another good reason to be very wary of regionalization.

Frank Murtaugh wrote:The County Juvenile Court has sole jurisdiction over juvenile offenders and the County is responsible for providing detention facilities, which since the 70's have been insufficient given the level of juvenile offenders.

Great.

The County doesn't have the resources to handle juvenile offenders but they somehow found $52 million dollars to prepare a vacant lot for the new county administration building.

[quote="Frank Murtaugh"] Lakewood takes DV cases very seriously. The shelter is needed in acute situations where the offender has not yet been arrested. Because we have good enforcement, I'm not sure we need a separate facility. The Court and probation office are the experts on this.

Even if Lakewood Police take DV cases seriously, if there is not a place where females and children can readily go, it is still dangerous. After paying $80,000 a year to the shelter in Cleveland, is there still no guarantee we can get someone in there? And who is to judge the seriousness of the threat? What about a temporary place in Lakewood for immediate cases?

Justine Cooper wrote:

Frank Murtaugh wrote: Lakewood takes DV cases very seriously. The shelter is needed in acute situations where the offender has not yet been arrested. Because we have good enforcement, I'm not sure we need a separate facility. The Court and probation office are the experts on this.

Even if Lakewood Police take DV cases seriously, if there is not a place where females and children can readily go, it is still dangerous. After paying $80,000 a year to the shelter in Cleveland, is there still no guarantee we can get someone in there? And who is to judge the seriousness of the threat? What about a temporary place in Lakewood for immediate cases?

For $80000.00 a year there should be a guarantee. But what happens if the shelter is full? How often have Lakewood women been turned away? How often do Lakewood residents use the shelter? Answers can be obtained from the City.

Here is a link describing domestic violence, in a short and to the point form, from the Tucson Centers for Women and Children :
http://www.tucsoncenters.com/domestic_v ... olence.htm

It applies everywhere.

Mark Allan Crnolatas

In response to the question earlier on why females get into relationships with abusers, the ironic thing is that this group of individuals are usually the most charming individuals. The other side does not come out usually until months later. The reason many stay is they have no where else to go or the abuser comes back with such heartfelt agonizing apologies and there the cycle begins. The rage a person like this has comes from his childhood it will be transferred to other victims if one gets away. It is a rage against women, starting with his mother. And if he witnessed his mother being abused he often repeats the cycle.

As a parent of three Lakewood students, I would highly support a program such as this coming into the schools.

There is even just a general lack of respect going on with the kids with the name calling that begins at such a young age....then turns into bullying, and gets bigger until it leads to domestic violence. How many of those police calls for DV are actually because of teens being the aggressors? I'd be willing to bet a fairly large number! While husband/wife, or boyfriend/girlfriend DV is definitely a huge concern, so is parent/child. It does happen...a lot.

The Domestic Violence Center in Cleveland has a speakers buruea that goes out to community groups, schools etc.