Danville Police Chief Christopher Yates says his department will be starting a new initiative on domestic violence beginning January 1st. He says the number of offenses of late, especially repeat offenses, has been quite disturbing, and part of the mission needs to be “get to the youngsters in the schools early, and tell them, this is not the way to handle disagreements.”
AUDIO: What it’s going to do is make sure that we put all the proper mechanisms in place to make sure that with everything we do, we can assist the victims and make sure that we can provide every bit of help that we can, and try to decrease the number of victims. I that that you have to make sure the children understand exactly what they’re seeing, and that it’s not the appropriate response to any type of conflict.
This stepped up effort on domestic violence will be helped by a $750,000 COPS grant the Danville Police Department will soon be receiving from the Federal Department of Justice. Danville will be one of nine Illinois communities, and the only downstate community receiving a COPS grant. Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr says, the fact that Danville has been chosen, says something.
AUDIO: It means a lot to me that people are noticing the good effort of our police force, and also the cooperation and the partnerships that we’re having with the people. I think people notice that, and they see that we’re headed in the right direction, and maybe just need a little more help.
The Danville Police Department plans to use some of the grant to hire a Domestic Violence Officer. More information on the COPS grant will come later from the Danville Police Department, and a joint press release with the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
