Showing posts with label Public Safety Domestic Violence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Public Safety Domestic Violence. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Maryland State Police: Two dead in Hampstead murder-suicide

Two dead in Hampstead murder-suicide

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

A tragedy as the result of domestic violence has once again struck Carroll County.

In an incident yesterday, an ex-husband is alleged to have shot his way into the home of his ex-wife, killed her fiancé, and then turned gun on himself.

By Kevin Dayhoff http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/maryland-state-police-two-dead-in.html Labels: Carroll Co Dist Hampstead, Carroll County crime, Crime, Dayhoff writing essays crime, MD State Police, Public Safety Domestic Violence http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/309053.html

(Hampstead, MD) – The Maryland State Police were called to the scene of an apparent murder-suicide, in the late-morning hours of Tuesday, March 16, 2010, just outside of the town of Hampstead in northern Carroll County, Maryland, which has left two men dead.

According to the Maryland State Police, a 911 call came in to Carroll County Emergency Operations Center shortly after 11:00 a.m. “from a woman in the 1200-block of Allview Drive. She told the dispatcher that her ex-husband had just come into her home and shot her fiancé before shooting himself.”

When police arrived they found two deceased males in a first floor family room at the rear of the house, according to Maryland State Police spokesman Greg Shipley.

A subsequent investigation indicates that one of the males, identified as Michael L. Swift, III, 45 of the 3600-block of Benson Ave., Halethorpe, Baltimore County Md, is alleged to have used a shotgun to shoot his way through a sliding glass door in the back of the house.

At that point, police believe that Swift shot Zaidan S. “Steve” Asid, 51 and then turned the gun on himself. A .12-gauge shotgun was still in the possession of Swift when police arrived.

The police investigation revealed that the woman, (whom Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack will not identify because she is the victim of domestic violence,) who had made the 911 call, is apparently the former wife of Swift - and currently the fiancé of Asid, and lived at the home.

Police indicate that she was in the residence at the time of the shooting. She was taken for a medical examination, but found to be apparently unharmed physically. No one else was in the home at the time of the shooting.

The deceased were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsies as the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit spent the rest of the afternoon investigating the scene.

The Maryland State Police said that the investigation is ongoing. Check back with Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack - http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ for more details as they develop.

#### http://www.mdsp.org/media/press_release_details.asp?identifier=911

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Friday, March 12, 2010

No bail for man accused of attacking his wife with a hammer


No bail for man accused of attacking his wife with a hammer. Defendant expresses concerns for his safety.

March 11, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff

Please note that neither Kevin Dayhoff – Soundtrack, www.kevindayhoff.net or the Eagle, www.explorecarroll.com, believes that it is appropriate to name the victim of domestic abuse.

Labels: 20100302 Soligny assault case, 20100302 Soligny assault case Soundtrack, Carroll County crime, Crime, Dayhoff writing essays, Dayhoff writing essays crime, MD State Police, Public Safety Domestic Violence

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/no-bail-for-man-accused-of-attacking.html http://tinyurl.com/yc9pcyn http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/307450.html

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/181p1f

Yesterday, a bail review hearing for Anthony Troy Soligny, accused of attacking his wife with a hammer on March 2 was postponed until today.

Maryland State Police say Soligny allegedly assaulted his wife with a steel and rubber hammer, which police said they have taken into evidence.

At about 11:30 p.m. March 2, State Police at the Westminster Barracks received a 911 call from the victim, who had gone to a neighbor’s home to call police.

Troopers found the victim had sustained what appeared to be severe blunt force trauma injuries to her head. She was transported by ambulance to the Carroll Hospital Center, then later to Shock Trauma Center.

In the hearing held this morning in Carroll County District Court, visiting Judge Paula J. Brown, noted that Soligny is accused of a violent crime and agreed with the assistant state’s attorney, Tae Yee, that Soligny “is a serious flight risk.”

After the alleged assault on March 2, Soligny had fled the state and was arrested the next day, March 3, while traveling on I-85 just outside of Lavonia Georgia. He was subsequently locked up in Franklin County Detention Center in Carnesville, Ga., until Maryland State Police returned him to Carroll County.

Last Tuesday, Maryland State Police spokesman Greg Shipley said Soligny arrived at the Carroll County Detention Center at 5:45 p.m. He was flown back to Maryland by troopers on a State Police plane. “There were no problems reported during transport.”

Meanwhile, today, the judge ordered the defendant held without bail. It was further ordered that Soligny have no contact with the alleged victim, (his wife) or “the minor children,” and that Soligny be given a psychiatric evaluation.

Soligny did not appear in person in the short hearing but remained in the Carroll County Detention Center and participated by way of a video-link into the courtroom.

After the judge read the charges to the defendant, Soligny only answered “yes,” that he understood the charges. When asked if he will be contacting a public defender or obtaining a private attorney, Soligny responded, “private attorney.”

As if he had any questions, Soligny asked, “No one is going to hurt me here?,” at which time several friends of the victim began sobbing softly in the courtroom, while observing the hearing come to a close. According to several family friends, the victim of the attack is still recuperating from serious injuries.

Various sources close to the investigation have alluded that Soligny has been “uncooperative” since his arrest.

Check back with http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ for details as they come available.

####

Soundtrack6 20100311 No bail for man accused

The Soligny story so far:

Please note that neither Kevin Dayhoff – Soundtrack, http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ or the Eagle, http://www.explorecarroll.com/, believes that it is appropriate to name the victim of domestic abuse.

Labels: 20100302 Soligny assault case, 20100302 Soligny assault case Soundtrack, Carroll County crime, Crime, Dayhoff writing essays, Dayhoff writing essays crime, MD State Police, Public Safety Domestic Violence

Carroll Eagle: http://www.explorecarroll.com/:

County man accused of assault is apprehended in Georgia
Posted: 3/03/10 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Carroll County man accused of hammer attack to be returned to Maryland
Posted: 3/09/10 in Westminster Eagle

UPDATE: New Windsor man suspected in hammer attack returns to Maryland
Posted: 3/10/10 in Westminster Eagle, Carroll Eagle

Investigative Voice:

1. NEWS FLASH — Accused Carroll Co. hammer assailant is flown back to Maryland (Top Stories/The Project) By Kevin Dayhoff Maryland State Police brought Anthony T. Soligny, of New Windsor in Carroll County, back to Maryland Wednesday to face allegations that he allegedly attacked his wife with a hammer ...

2. UPDATE — NABBED! Carroll Co. man accused in hammer attack to be extradited to Md. (Top Stories/The Project) ... wife with a hammer. Anthony T. Soligny, 33, of New Windsor is currently being detained in the Franklin County Detention Center in Carnesville, Ga., charged with attempted murder, first- and second-degree ...

3. NABBED! — Carroll Co. man arrested in Georgia after alleged hammer attack (Top Stories/The Project) ACCUSED OF BEATING WIFE WITH TOOL By Kevin Dayhoff A Carroll County man who allegedly beat his wife with a hammer is behind bars after being quickly apprehended in Georgia. Anthony T. Soligny, ...

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

Sountrack1: Carroll Co man taken into custody for allegedly assaulting his wife with a hammer http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/carroll-county-man-taken-into-custody.html http://tinyurl.com/yk95mr9 http://twitpic.com/16pbk6

Soundtrack2: (UPDATE1) Carroll County man accused of hammer attack to be returned to Maryland By Kevin Dayhoff March 8, 2010 http://tinyurl.com/y9ocw7e http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/update-carroll-county-man-accused-of.html Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/17hxxb or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/436427596/update-carroll-county-man-accused-of-hammer

Soundtrack3 (UPDATE2) Carroll County man accused of hammer attack to be returned to Maryland today (This story was just updated March 9, 2010 at 5:45 p.m. to reflect that Anthony T. Soligny is being returned to Maryland today.) http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/update2-carroll-county-man-accused-of.html Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/17hxxb or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/436427596/update-carroll-county-man-accused-of-hammer

Soundtrack4: Accused Carroll Co. hammer assailant, Anthony T. Soligny, is flown back to Maryland March 10, 2010 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/accused-carroll-co-hammer-assailant.html http://tinyurl.com/y9uhw28 By Kevin Dayhoff Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/17p46i

Soundtrack5: March 11, 2010 - - UPDATE Accused Carroll Co. hammer assailant, Anthony T. Soligny, remains behind bars in Westminster, MD March 10, 2010 By Kevin Dayhoff (This story was just updated March 10, 2010 at 3:20 p.m.) http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/update-accused-carroll-co-hammer.html http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/307125.html Photo caption: On Tuesday, March 9, Anthony T. Soligny, of New Windsor, is taken in handcuffs on board a Maryland State Police plane to be flown back to Maryland to face charges stemming from allegedly attacking his wife with a hammer on March 2. Photo courtesy of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department in Carnesville, Georgia Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/17p46i

[A comprehensive report on Anthony Soligny’s upcoming bail review and the circumstances surrounding the case, written by Carroll County Times staff writer Ryan Marshall may be found here: Bail review set for hammer attack suspect By Ryan Marshall, Times Staff Writer Thursday, March 11, 2010 http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2010/03/11/news/local_news/2_bail_review.txt]

Soundtrack6: No bail for man accused of attacking his wife with a hammer. Defendant expresses concerns for his safety. March 11, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/no-bail-for-man-accused-of-attacking.html http://tinyurl.com/yc9pcyn Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/181p1f

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com


*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Thursday, March 11, 2010

UPDATE Accused Carroll Co. hammer assailant, Anthony T. Soligny, remains behind bars in Westminster, MD

March 11, 2010 - - A comprehensive report on Anthony Soligny’s upcoming bail review and the circumstances surrounding the case, written by Carroll County Times staff writer Ryan Marshall may be found here: Bail review set for hammer attack suspect By Ryan Marshall, Times Staff Writer Thursday, March 11, 2010

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2010/03/11/news/local_news/2_bail_review.txt


UPDATE Accused Carroll Co. hammer assailant, Anthony T. Soligny, remains behind bars in Westminster, MD March 10, 2010 By Kevin Dayhoff

(This story was just updated March 10, 2010 at 3:20 p.m.) http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/update-accused-carroll-co-hammer.html http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/307125.html

Photo caption: Today, Anthony T. Soligny, remains behind bars in Westminster. Photo courtesy of the Carroll County Detention Center, March 10, 2010.

~~~~~


Accused Carroll Co. hammer assailant, Anthony T. Soligny, is flown back to Maryland March 9, 2010 By Kevin Dayhoff

Photo caption: On Tuesday, March 9, Anthony T. Soligny, of New Windsor, is taken in handcuffs on board a Maryland State Police plane to be flown back to Maryland to face charges stemming from allegedly attacking his wife with a hammer on March 2. Photo courtesy of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department in Carnesville, Georgia. Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/17p46i

Westminster, Md. - On Tuesday, the Maryland State Police brought Anthony T. Soligny, 33, of New Windsor, back to Maryland to face charges for allegedly attacking his wife with a hammer on March 2.

Sources close to the investigation have said that initially Soligny had chosen to fight extradition, but later had a change of heart.



Multiple sources have indicated that he has, in general, been very uncooperative and combative since his arrest on March 3, while on the run, on I-85 just outside of Lavonia Georgia and locked up in Franklin County Detention Center in Carnesville, Georgia.

Yesterday evening, a Maryland State Police spokesman said, “Soligny arrived at the Carroll County, Detention Center at 5:45 pm today. He was flown back to Maryland today by troopers on a State Police plane. There were no problems reported during transport.”

####

Carroll County crime, Dayhoff writing essays crime, MD State Police, Public Safety Domestic Violence, Dayhoff writing essays, Crime,

Anthony T. Soligny, accused in hammer attack to be extradited Related:

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/accused-carroll-co-hammer-assailant.html http://tinyurl.com/y9uhw28

Accused Carroll Co MD hammer assailant Anthony Soligny is flown back to Md 9Mar2010 http://tinyurl.com/y9uhw28 http://twitpic.com/17p46i

(This story was just updated March 9, 2010 at 5:45 p.m. to reflect that Anthony T. Soligny is being returned to Maryland today.) http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/update2-carroll-county-man-accused-of.html

UPDATE Soligny, accused of hammer attack to be returned to Md By Kevin Dayhoff 8Mar2010 http://tinyurl.com/y9ocw7e http://twitpic.com/17hxxb

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/carroll-county-man-taken-into-custody.html http://tinyurl.com/yk95mr9 http://twitpic.com/16pbk6

______

Eagle – http://www.explorecarroll.com/:

See also: Carroll County man accused of assault is apprehended in Georgia http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4031/assault%20arrest/
http://bit.ly/bbj7br

http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4068/arrest2/ UPDATE: Carroll County man accused of hammer attack to be returned to Maryland Extradition from Georgia expected Tuesday By Kevin Dayhoff, Posted 3/09/10

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com


*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Investigative Voice digest for March 5, 2010


Investigative Voice digest for March 5, 2010

8-year old arrested with loaded gun at city school, parking wars heat-up in Baltimore again

8-year old arrested with loaded 9-millimeter at city elementary school
School official followed student after threat and discovered loaded weapon. Click here to read more

COUNCILMAN CALLS FOR END TO FLAWED PARKING SOFTWARE
Frustrated residents prompt calll for action. Click here to read more

CARROL COUNTY MAN NABBED IN GEORGIA
Alleged to have beaten wife with a hammer Click here to read more
(Anthony T. Soligny, 33, of New Windsor in Carroll Co – by Kevin Dayhoff)
http://investigativevoice.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2827:hammered-carroll-county-man-in-custody-for-alleged-hammer-attack-&catid=25:the-project&Itemid=44 http://tinyurl.com/yencof4

20100305 sdsom Investigative Voice digest for March 5, 2010 Carroll County crime, Crime, Dayhoff writing essays, Dayhoff writing essays crime, Media Investigative Voice, Public Safety Domestic Violence

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/investigative-voice-digest-for-march-5.html

http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/303612.html

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com


*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Westminster Police receives “2009 Lethality Assessment Award”

Westminster Police recognized for combating Domestic Violence

October 30, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff for the Carroll Eagle

Posted November 5, 2009

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/nub9t

Recently the Westminster Police Department received a statewide recognition from the Maryland Networks Against Domestic Violence.

The “2009 Lethality Assessment Award” was presented to Chief Jeff Spaulding and Lieutenant Misty Budzinski on October 23 at a ceremony in which Governor Martin O’Malley and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown also participated.

The award recognizes the work of “individuals and organizations from around the State who excelled in their contributions to the safety and well-being of victims of domestic violence across the State,” according to information provided by the Westminster Police Department.

The web site for the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV) says the advocacy organization “has been working since 1980 to eliminate domestic violence in Maryland through education, training, and advocacy.

“As Maryland's state coalition, the Network works together with local domestic violence programs as well as criminal justice and law enforcement personnel, legal advocates, health care and social service providers, clergy, educators, businesses, community groups, and concerned individuals to promote a coordinated community response to end domestic violence.”

The Westminster Police Department “was selected for the award because they successfully screened 93% of the domestic violence victims that they encountered during the previous year – 56% of these victims subsequently participating in follow-up services with local domestic violence counselors provided through a partnership with Family and Children Services of Central Maryland,” according to information from a media release from the department.

“The Department’s success rates were the highest in the State for the past year. This was the third year for the Lethality Assessment Award Program in Maryland. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Anne Arundel County Police Department were the two previous recipients of the award.”

Maria L. Oesterreicher, the senior assistant state's attorney and domestic violence unit Supervisor for the Carroll County State's Attorney's Office noted that Carroll County “also unanimously won a quarterly award this year that was voted on by the Lethality Advisory Board for having the highest percentage of high-risk clients coming in for services, 56%, with the next closest County being Montgomery with 34%.

“Basically that means that 56% of all victims who completed a Lethality Assessment at the scene of a domestic violence call in Carroll County followed up by seeking services from Family & Children’s Services,” said Oesterreicher.

In a recent interview with Spaulding he noted that in addition to the Westminster department’s care and concern for the welfare of victims of domestic violence; calls for such incidences are a major cause of harm for the responding officers as well as members of the family involved.

Anything that we can reduce those calls is a good thing for everyone involved, said Spaulding.

“Lethality assessment is a quick and accurate way for police officers and domestic violence counselors to determine with a high degree of accuracy the potential for future serious violence or death in a relationship,” Spaulding explained.

“Officers handling domestic violence incidents are required to screen victims utilizing a lethality assessment tool – a survey of 11 validated questions,” according to information from Westminster Police Department.

“Those victims screened as being at “high risk” of future violence, based upon their answers to the questions, are immediately placed in phone contact with a domestic violence counselor who speaks with them about their circumstances and discusses safety planning and the resources available to the victim. The assessment process is being used around the country with excellent results.”

“Having this information while they are still at the scene of a domestic dispute better prepares them to respond to the immediate safety needs of that victim and his or her family,” said Spaulding.

“A critical element of the lethality assessment process is the immediate phone contact with a domestic violence counselor. This takes place on the spot regardless of the time of day. The counselor can speak to the victim in the midst of the crisis and provide them with critical safety information.

“They can also help them understand the full array of services that are immediately available to the victim and their family. This immediate contact greatly enhances the potential that the victim will participate in follow-up services with the domestic violence service provider.”

Oesterreicher said in an e-mail and phone interview: “I think it’s wonderful that the Westminster City Police Department was recognized for their excellent results in completing Lethality Assessments…

“The institution of the Lethality Assessment could very well prove to be one of the most effective tools for victim safety in recent years. Being able to immediately link up victims with counselors is invaluable.

“When I train police officers on domestic violence investigation procedures, I often explain to them that there is a very small window of time in which a domestic violence victim may be cooperative with a police investigation. In certain instances that window may even be closed by the time the police arrive at the scene of the call.

“The Lethality Assessment provides an avenue for the officers to provide immediate intervention for a victim who can talk to a counselor on the scene and learn about cycle of violence, resources and help them develop safety plans before that window of cooperation is closed,” advised Oesterreicher.

Spaulding, Oesterreicher and other officials interviewed on background praised the interagency coordinated multi-jurisdictional approach to domestic violence in Carroll County.

“The citizens of Carroll County are very fortunate that the elected officials in this county recognize domestic violence and see it for what it is – a crime and support all the agencies efforts to hold abusers accountable and maximize the safety of victims through education, safety planning and sheltering,” said Oesterreicher.

“The agencies in this county work very well and very closely together. From the state’s attorney’s office to police agencies, to the counseling agencies, such as Family & Children’s Services, to the Family Law Administration of the Circuit Court, and the Women’s Law Center, who with grant funds, provide attorneys to Petitioner’s seeking protection by way of protective orders. Carroll County is fortunate to truly employ a Coordinated Community Response.”

Spaulding agreed: “one of this would be possible without the support and collaboration we have received from our partners which include our local Domestic Violence Advocate, Cheryl Powers of Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland, the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office and the David Sergeant of Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence.”

Oesterreicher cites that Jerry Barnes, the state’s attorney for Carroll County “recognized the gravity of domestic violence cases immediately when he was elected. In 1997 the State’s Attorney’s Office received the first of many Violence Against Women grants. The grant was originally intended to be for three years only, but we were recently awarded funds for the 13th straight year.

“To date we have received $870,811 from the Department of Justice by way of pass through grants from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention. Those awards are based on best practices and results. The fact that we continue to receive funding means we are doing something right.

“The grant funds help support the State’s Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence Unit that consists of a prosecutor, an investigator, and a victim coordinator. We are also very fortunate to have always had the support of the Board of Commissioners,” noted Oesterreicher.

Spaulding said: “I also want to publically acknowledge and thank the dedicated men and women of the Westminster Police Department who have embraced this process and worked very hard to ensure that all of our domestic violence victims are afforded the benefits of this potentially life-saving program.

“I am very pleased that the Westminster Police Department has taken a leadership role in ensuring the safety of domestic violence victims in our community.”

####

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/11/westminster-police-receives-2009.html http://tinyurl.com/yzo8jzc

Carroll Co States Attorney, Law Order, Non-profits Family Children’s Services, Public Safety Domestic Violence, Westminster Police Chief Spaulding-Jeff, Westminster Police Dept

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/nub9t

Westminster MD Police recognized for combating Domestic Violence http://tinyurl.com/yzo8jzc http://twitpic.com/nub9t

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Westminster Police receives “2009 Lethality Assessment Award”

Westminster Police recognized for combating Domestic Violence

October 30, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/nub9t
Photo caption: The “2009 Lethality Assessment Award” was presented to the Westminster Police Department on October 23, 2009 from Maryland Networks Against Domestic Violence [http://www.mnadv.org/.] Receiving the award are Chief Jeff Spaulding and Lieutenant Misty Budzinski. Submitted photo.

Recently the Westminster Police Department received a statewide recognition from the Maryland Networks Against Domestic Violence.

The “2009 Lethality Assessment Award” was presented to Chief Jeff Spaulding and Lieutenant Misty Budzinski on October 23 at a ceremony in which Governor Martin O’Malley and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown also participated.

The award recognizes the work of “individuals and organizations from around the State who excelled in their contributions to the safety and well-being of victims of domestic violence across the State,” according to information provided by the Westminster Police Department.

The web site for the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV) [http://www.mnadv.org/]says the advocacy organization “has been working since 1980 to eliminate domestic violence in Maryland through education, training, and advocacy.

“As Maryland's state coalition, the Network works together with local domestic violence programs as well as criminal justice and law enforcement personnel, legal advocates, health care and social service providers, clergy, educators, businesses, community groups, and concerned individuals to promote a coordinated community response to end domestic violence.”

The Westminster Police Department “was selected for the award because they successfully screened 93% of the domestic violence victims that they encountered during the previous year – 56% of these victims subsequently participating in follow-up services with local domestic violence counselors provided through a partnership with Family and Children Services of Central Maryland, [http://www.fcsmd.org/.]” according to information from a media release from the department.

“The Department’s success rates were the highest in the State for the past year. This was the third year for the Lethality Assessment Award Program in Maryland. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Anne Arundel County Police Department were the two previous recipients of the award.”

Maria L. Oesterreicher, the senior assistant state's attorney and domestic violence unit Supervisor for the Carroll County State's Attorney's Office noted that Carroll County “also unanimously won a quarterly award this year that was voted on by the Lethality Advisory Board for having the highest percentage of high-risk clients coming in for services, 56%, with the next closest County being Montgomery with 34%.

“Basically that means that 56% of all victims who completed a Lethality Assessment at the scene of a domestic violence call in Carroll County followed up by seeking services from Family & Children’s Services,” said Oesterreicher.

In a recent interview with Spaulding he noted that in addition to the Westminster department’s care and concern for the welfare of victims of domestic violence; calls for such incidences are a major cause of harm for the responding officers as well as members of the family involved.

Anything that we can reduce those calls is a good thing for everyone involved, said Spaulding.

“Lethality assessment is a quick and accurate way for police officers and domestic violence counselors to determine with a high degree of accuracy the potential for future serious violence or death in a relationship,” Spaulding explained.

“Officers handling domestic violence incidents are required to screen victims utilizing a lethality assessment tool – a survey of 11 validated questions,” according to information from Westminster Police Department.

“Those victims screened as being at “high risk” of future violence, based upon their answers to the questions, are immediately placed in phone contact with a domestic violence counselor who speaks with them about their circumstances and discusses safety planning and the resources available to the victim. The assessment process is being used around the country with excellent results.”

Check back here and - or http://www.explorecarroll.com/ for more information and the rest of this article which I just filed with Explore Carroll…

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/
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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Sunday, March 29, 2009

From the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus Friday March 27 2009

From the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus Friday March 27 2009

March 27, 2009

As the Maryland General Assembly realizes the end of the session is in sight, things are getting interesting…

From the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus Friday March 27 2009

A threatened filibuster over legal presence for drivers' licenses, statebudget shortfalls, death penalty repeal and self-defense for domesticviolence victims were highlights of "cross-over" week in the MarylandSenate.

To see our posts on these topics, visit our site at
www.mdsenategop.com.

20090327 From the Md Sen Rep Caucus Fri March 27 2009
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Friday, December 28, 2007

20071228 Recent Westminster Eagle columns

Recent Westminster Eagle columns

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Friday, December 28

Christmas comes early for families, and for some secret (trooper) Santas

On Sunday, Dec. 16, members of the Maryland Troopers Association Lodge 20 were joined at the Westminster Fire Hall by members of the State Police Explorers Post 56, Cub Scout Pack 150 and Carroll County Chapter K of Gold Wing Road Riders to make sure that families on their "most wanted list" had a n... [Read full story]


Reaching out to the troops is a mission with 'evergreen' appeal

Early this month, on Dec. 1, more than 300 volunteers gathered at the Carroll County Ag Center for Operation Christmas Tree to pack 5,000 live decorated Christmas trees for the troops in Iraq.

I had only been in the 40'-by-60' tent (supplied by Kay-Lyns Party Rental), for minutes when one voluntee... Congressman Roscoe Bartlett… [Read full story]


Greeting the Ghosts of Christmas TV past

Christmas, as much as any holiday, is a time for childhood memories.

For many baby-boomers, television has always served as an early warning system that the holiday is rapidly advancing. Whether it is the plethora of consumer-oriented commercials or Christmas holiday specials, most everyone's chil... [Read full story]


Singing with one voice for a worthy cause

On Nov. 17, members of our community packed St. John Catholic Church to hear the talented and beautiful voices of artists who came together and donated their time for our community -- and for a worthy cause.

Musical groups including the McDaniel College Madigal Singers, Old Line Statesmen Barber S... “With One Voice”… Programs sponsors included organizations such as the GFWC Women’s Club of Westminster, and businesses such as Skyline Network Engineering, Lehigh Cement, PNC and New Windsor State Bank, Stu’s Music, the Law and Mediation Center, Opera House Printing Company, Steven Silberman, the law firm of Cromwell and Unglesbee and Douglas Deming of Zero Balancing and Message Therapy. They all came out in force to make a difference in our community.

Connie Sgarlata, director of the Carroll County Office of Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland echoed the remarks of many, including McDaniel College professor of music Dr. Margie Boudreaux and Diane Jones, the Children’s Chorus of Carroll County artistic director… [Read full story]

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