At the Courthouse

"Whose Name I Tender..."

Not naming sex assault or domestic violence doesn't dilute the task force? Seriously?

There are two task forces in Pasco County that address the issues of family violence and sexual abuse: one works in West Pasco with the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Center; and the other works in East Pasco, with Sunrise of Pasco County, which is tasked with addressing sexual assault throughout the entire county. Both are registered with the state and federal government under the name Sexual and Domestic Violence Task Force of Pasco County. As a result, the East Pasco task force includes eliminating sexual assault for all of Pasco and is not limited to just the eastern end of the county for that issue. But things are changing that can impact these issues. Task force members tentatively voted last month to change the common-use name to …

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At the Courthouse

Task Force: A Rose By Any Other Name...

Do sexual and domestic violence issues get diluted or not? This month's task force meeting debates the impact of its new name, which is still up for discussion.

Do not water down the only task force that addresses domestic and sexual violence throughout all of Pasco County. That's my advice to members of the Task Force Formerly Known as the Sexual and Domestic Violence Task Force of Pasco County.  (This reminds me of The Artist Formerly Known as Prince who was then doing business as that weird symbol...) The Task Force tentatively voted in late May to drop "domestic and sexual violence" from its common-use name and expand its services in East Pasco. Its new name is "Family and Community Task Force of East Pasco," but Task Force members are continuing to debate the decision.  I want the task force's focus to be clear and not clear as mud. I don't want them to drop "domestic and sexual violence" …

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At the Courthouse

Hold Police Accountable for Domestic Abuse

St. Pete detective arrested in FBI corruption probe had been accused of domestic abuse.

A recent FBI corruption probe resulted in the arrest of St. Petersburg Police Department Det. Anthony Foster. What I am concerned about here is that even before the alleged extortion of a confidential informant by the homicide detective, Foster had already developed a history of domestic abuse allegations against him and even battery on a fellow officer. Yet none of that resulted in any real consequences for the detective. St. Petersburg police ranking officers penalized him but no criminal charges came from this, and they kept him on the force. There were three documented examples of Foster harassing a woman, getting in an angry altercation with his wife outside police headquarters and putting his fist through a window at his home. While …

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At the Courthouse

A New Name for Sexual and Domestic Violence Task Force?

Is dillution the solution? Proposed name changes make no mention of sexual or domestic violence.

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force of Pasco County tentatively voted in late May to drop "domestic and sexual violence" from its common-use name and expand its services in East Pasco. While the new name is "Family and Community Enhancement Task Force of East Pasco," the goup is still operating as the only countywide domestic and sexual violence task force. In addition, West Pasco's Domestic Violence Task force is not included in these changes at all and is a separate operation. Why change the name? It's a different name for “marketing purposes” while the grant money still rolls in under the official legal name, according to the explanation provided by Sunrise of Pasco. That means for bylaws and grants, it's legal name remains as "…

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Joe Sprowls

1:27 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011

You wrote a great article   more ›

At the Courthouse

"...We Must Do Everything Possible to Protect Them"

Sexual and Domestic abuse training is import for law enforcement.

Before he was sworn in as the new Pasco County Sheriff, I asked Chris Nocco whether Pasco deputies will contine to attend domestic and sexual violence training sessions like the very impressive one I attended with them this week. "Yes, domestic violence destroys our families and is a vicious cycle," he said in statement.  "It is critical that our deputies are trained in this area not only for the victims but also for deputy safety.  These incidents can become violent encounters for our deputies, and we must do everything possible to protect them." You know, I want to frame that quote. According to Rod Reder, co-founder of the National Institute of Crime Prevention Global Training Program, officers who attend these trainings stand out to …

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Program Seeks to Prevent Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Detective brought nationally recognized program to Pasco

I wanted to know more about recent steps the Pasco County Sheriff's Office has taken to stop domestic violence before it turns deadly. Kevin Doll, spokesman for the Pasco Sheriff's Office, directed me to detective Jennie Jones for in-depth information. Jones is one of two domestic violence detectives at the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. She was instrumental in bringing to our area a nationally recognized program for preventing domestic violence.  Jones, a career law enforcement professional who responds to domestic abuse calls and conducts long-term investigations, has expertise in responding to lethal situations and homicides. In 2010, Jones approached Sheriff Bob White about bringing to Pasco a prevention program that proved effective …

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