System will share domestic-abuse case data

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November 23, 2009

Anonymous The Press Republican Mon Nov 23, 2009, 11:47 PM EST

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PLATTSBURGH — A new state database will soon help law-enforcement personnel share reports on domestic-violence incidents, a move expected to enhance victim safety and violence prevention.

The centralized Domestic-Incident Report repository is being created by the state's Division of Criminal Justice Services and Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence using about $1.5 million of federal funding.

The repository will give police officers, sheriff's deputies, prosecutors, probation and parole officials the ability to search — by victim or offender name or incident address — reports filed by more than 550 police agencies in the 57 counties outside of New York City.

"When domestic violence happens, police and prosecutors need to know if this is the first incident or one of series so they can handle the case appropriately," Gov. David A. Paterson said in a news release announcing the database.

"Until now, if the previous incidents were in different places, the local police would have no way to know about them. With this database, police will know about any prior cases immediately, no matter where they occurred. Having centralized data also will show where services are most needed."

Law-enforcement agencies across the state respond to about 175,000 domestic incidents each year and currently document their reports on paper only.

Those reports contain a wealth of information, such as the names of the individuals involved and the circumstances surrounding each call, including if weapons were present at the location or threats were made, which can be crucial to victim and officer safety and effective prosecution of domestic-violence cases.

But the hard-copy reports are not conducive to cross-referencing, officials said.

"Access to data captured in (domestic-incident reports) will provide a more accurate picture of the extent and nature of domestic violence, allowing law enforcement and advocates to develop policies and coordinated strategies that will turn the tide against this devastating crime in their communities," Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Denise E. O'Donnell said in a release.

Agencies will still use the hard-copy reporting process, but the Criminal Justice Services Department will then compile them in a secure electronic database.

Authorized users, such as police, prosecutors and dispatchers, will be able to search the electronic database and will see information associated with an individual or address, regardless of which agency filed the paper report.

The repository will be developed by the end of 2010 and operational in early 2011.

"Although law-enforcement agencies have made great strides in responding to domestic violence, the problem persists," O'Donnell said.

"By providing easier and more useful access to information that is already collected, we believe law enforcement can better combat domestic violence in their jurisdictions."