Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to the Family Safety Center, domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behavior that consists of physical, sexual and/or psychological abuse committed by one intimate partner against another. Although domestic violence is directed at a particular victim, everyone suffers, including children, families, friends, and co-workers. Domestic violence affects our entire community.
On October 12, I was honored to speak at the University of Memphis Public Safety Institute’s “Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence” Forum, dedicated to discussing ways to improve assistance to victims of domestic violence. I focused specifically on innovative approaches by the SCDAG Office in dealing with domestic violence cases such as the focused deterrence Domestic Violence Call-In Program, the Community Justice Program, and creating safe spaces for victims in the courthouse.
I was joined from the SCDAG’s Office by ADA Marianne Bell; Director of the Victim/Witness Unit Amy McCullough; and Victim/Witness Coordinator with the Domestic Violence Unit Daphne Segree. Fellow speakers included Jennifer Brinkman (Director, Office of Criminal Justice Programs), Memphis Police Department Deputy Chief Mike Shearin, and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, as well as Dr. Amaia Iratzoqui, Dr. Angela Madden, and Dr. James McCutcheon, all of the University of Memphis. Thank you to the PSI and Bill Gibbons for shining a light on this important issue.
Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence. There is help available in our community. Below are a list of organizations to which our Domestic Violence Unit and Victim/Witness Coordinators frequently refer victims:
- 24 Hour Hotlines in Shelby County: Family Safety Center 901-800-6064, and Memphis YWCA 901-725-4277
- Family Safety Center 901-222-4400
- Casa Luz 901-500-8214
- Catholic Charities 901-722-4702
- Memphis Area Legal Services 901-523-8822
- Crime Victims and Rape Crisis Center 901-222-3950
- Community Legal Center 901-543-3395.
Halloween Safety
As our children head out for a night of trick-or-treating fun this Halloween, let’s remember to put safety first. Talk to your kids about looking both ways before crossing the street, putting down phones when walking, and staying on sidewalks or paths. Make sure they choose bright colors for costumes, or carry a flashlight or glow stick. For adults, remember to drive with extra caution on Halloween. Don’t forget, any child under age 12 should be accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating. For more visit Safe Kids Safety Tips.
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Rep. Jim Coley of Bartlett (Dist. 97) passed away this month at age 70. Jim was a great friend and a sponsor and fervent supporter of legislation aimed at helping victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, rape and other sexual offenses.
He sponsored legislation extending the statute of limitations for prosecuting a person for rape whose identity is established through DNA. In 2018 a bill he sponsored became law, making it easier for DV victims to get off of cellphone plans of their abusers.
A rape kit tracking system for sexual assault survivors was created this year by legislation known as The Jim Coley Protection for Rape Survivors Act. The tracking system creates a unique code that allows a victim to follow the kit through the criminal justice process.
His son Evan said his father called everyone “Buddy” and meant it. He was a retired high school history teacher and was passionate about education issues. Jim spent 14 years in the state legislature, forging working relationships and friendships with colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
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We got a recent reminder of the dangers on the interstate this month, and I’m not referring to reckless drivers or the short-tempered motorists who shoot while driving.
I’m referring to the 11½ pounds of a lethal heroin-fentanyl mix our West Tennessee Drug Task Force (WTDTF) seized from a vehicle driven by a Texas woman on I-40. The contraband shipment was hidden in a hollowed-out car battery.
WTDTF director Johnie Carter placed the street value of the shipment at $500,000, and said that when cut and packaged for sale by dealers there was enough to kill more than 2½ million people.
He said hiding the drugs in a car battery was not a new ploy by dealers, but he credited task force officers for their vigilance – including K9 Romik (pictured above) who confirmed the officers’ suspicions.
The WTDTF was named the 2020 Team of the Year by the six-state Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. The nine members of the team that patrols I-40 in Shelby, Fayette and Haywood counties conducted more than 140 stops resulting in a number of significant seizures with a total street value of more than $100 million.
Tuesday, October 5th was National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships. It is a great opportunity to bring police and community members together under positive circumstances. Millions of people take part in National Night Out in thousands of communities all over the US. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, and other community events.
The SCDAG team visited events in Austin Peay, North Main, Crump, and Tillman Precincts. We were especially grateful for the cooler weather since the events were held in October this year, as opposed to August as in past years.
Neighborhood watch programs consist of individuals living in the same area who wish to work together with law enforcement toward making their community safer. Does your community have a Neighborhood Watch program? Join! Your community doesn’t have a Neighborhood Watch Program? Start one!
For information on how to join or start a Neighborhood Watch Program, visit Neighborhood Watch Tips.
Anyone who follows sports knows that fans can be very passionate about their team, and that in some instances that passion goes too far.
A Boston fan was charged with a felony earlier this year for throwing a water bottle at the head of a visiting player. A New York fan was banned from the arena after spitting on a player in the playoffs in May.
And soon after that, three Utah fans were escorted out and banned from the arena there after making lewd and racist remarks to the family of Memphis Grizzly star Ja Morant.
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With these incidents in mind as the new season gets underway, the NBA has partnered with the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) as it plans to vigorously enforce its fan-misconduct policy.
At the request of the league, the NDAA has asked District Attorneys’ offices in each NBA city to provide a point-of-contact prosecutor-liaison for incidents when a fan’s rowdy behavior might rise to the level of a criminal offense.
Veteran prosecutor Carla Taylor has agreed to fill that role from our office, though I hope our Grizzly fans will continue to be the loud, passionate, and law-abiding representatives of Memphis that they always have been.
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Congress designated October 28th as National First Responders Day in 2017. On Thursday, October 28th, we honor our police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and others who rush first into dangerous situations to help their communities.
This year, we would like to specifically honor Memphis’ new Chief of Police, Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis, the first woman to head up the MPD. Previously the police chief in Durham, North Carolina, she has over 35 years of law enforcement experience.
In an interview with the Commercial Appeal, Davis spoke of her strategy to be “laser-focused” on the small population committing the majority of violent crimes. She also spoke of her desire to work closely with the SCDAG: “The DA's office will be my best friend...especially when it comes to the most serious types of cases, to make sure that individuals aren't just in and out of the system.”
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We would also like to honor the lives of 3 MPD officers lost tragically this year.
MPD Officer Darrell Adams was killed on October 2 while conducting a crash investigation on I-40.
MPD Officer Jimmie Alexander Schindler died from complications due to COVID 19 on September 20.
MPD Officer Scotty Triplett was killed in a motorcycle crash while he and other officers performed an escort along Hickory Hill Road on May 22.
We thank their families for their service and sacrifice, and to all of our first responders, we thank you for risking your lives to protect ours.
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I’d like to invite everyone to join us in honoring the memory of Shelby County homicide victims at the annual Season of Remembrance on Monday Nov. 29th.
This year’s event will be held at a new location - The Michael D. Rose Theatre on the University of Memphis campus (Click here for Map). The theater is conveniently located next to the parking garage on Zach Curlin.
Reception and check-in will begin at 5 p.m. The ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m.
Family and friends of victims are invited to bring an ornament (glitter-free, please) to place on a wreath to honor their loved one, regardless of the year their life was taken.
There also will be a Christmas tree with name tags honoring each homicide victim from 2021.
Masks will be required, and since the theater is a much larger venue, it will allow for social distancing.
This year’s emcee and guest speaker will be announced in the coming weeks.
Sex Offender Convicted in 2006 Rape
Man Convicted of Killing Woman in Club
Shooter Indicted in Death of Teen
Man Indicted in Homicide of 12-Year-Old Boy
Man Convicted of Raping Girlfriend's Child
In 2012, Shelby County opened the first Veteran’s Court in Tennessee, a court devoted to helping those who have served our country but who have been arrested or convicted of a crime because of underlying substance abuse, addictions, PTSD or other combat-related mental health issues.
The court has a remarkable record of success: 310 graduates out of the 405 total participants since the court’s inception. What’s more, only 37 of those graduates have been rearrested.
In October, 10 new graduates received their diplomas, challenge medallions and expungement papers – all signifying completion of their rigorous treatment plans which last a year or more, and can include weekly court appearances, frequent and random drug screens, counseling, self-help groups, life-skills training, and no new arrests.
The court includes Judge Bill Anderson Jr., program coordinator Jerry Easter, Asst. Dist. Atty. Eric Walton, public defenders, case managers, VA program and benefits specialists, mentors and other volunteers.
Walton is a retired Captain who served 13 years in the U.S. Army Reserves. Easter is a longtime attorney and former Marine who served in Vietnam.
“This Veterans Court is one of the best in the country,” Easter told the new graduates, “but it ain’t easy. It ain’t a get-out-of-jail free card. Not everyone makes it to the front row (of graduates). You have done all the hard work. We have only tried to help.”
Congratulations to the new graduates of Veterans Court. Once again they have shown their courage, discipline and determination. And thank you to all of our veterans who will be honored by a grateful nation on Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day.
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