Domestic violence calls in Prince George?s County gradually will become the responsibility of the Sheriff?s Office over the next three months, Sheriff Michael A. Jackson announced Wednesday.
The switch, along with increased victim advocacy programs, will move deputies from a reactive to a proactive role in fighting domestic crime from the initial incident through to the courtroom, Jackson said.
“We will be there for these victims,” Jackson said. “We will enforce the law, make no mistake about that.”
Beginning Sunday, sheriff?s deputies, rather than county police officers, will respond to domestic violence calls in District III, a region that includes Forestville, Kentland, Landover, Palmer Park and Suitland. District III was chosen to launch the initiative, Jackson said, because it generates the most domestic violence calls among the county?s six districts. After 90 days, deputies will expand coverage to the entire county.
Jackson and others also announced an array of grants to fund support programs they said will help the Sheriff?s Office become a full-service destination for domestic violence victims. There, victims will be able to file a report, connect with a courthouse-based advocate,find a peer support group or receive one of the 100 wireless phones with free minutes donated Wednesday by Verizon?s HopeLine program, among other services.
Lisa Spicknall is one of six planned domestic violence victim advocates who will support the county?s victims by answering questions and accompanying them to court dates. Spicknall said Wednesday that she worried six years ago whether anyone would remember her children, 3-year-old Destiny and 2-year-old Richie, who were shot and killed by their father in September 1999.
“This is a common fear of victims,” Spicknall said. “Who will remember my loved ones? Who will care?”
Sheriff?s deputies have served and enforced peace and protection orders since 1993, Jackson said, but now his office will provide victims a program of complete coverage to bring offenders to justice.
“There are only a few people who do extreme things,” Jackson said. “They will be held accountable.”
Domestic violence resources in Prince George?s County
» Call 911 if you have a domestic violence emergency.
» Call 301-731-1203, a 24-hour hot line, for Family Crisis Center services such as counseling, emergency shelter, and legal information and representation for families affected by domestic violence.
» Call 301-952-4303 to reach The House of Ruth, which provides legal assistance for domestic violence victims at county courthouses in Upper Marlboro and Hyattsville.
