Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Officials targeting domestic violence

Sheriff Jerry Keller, citing 20 murders this year that were "a direct result" of domestic violence, said he has mandated specialized training for Metro Police officers to curb the problem.

"We have a zero tolerance," he said Thursday on the steps of the Clark County Courthouse during a press conference marking Victims Rights Week, sponsored by the Southern Nevada Domestic Violence Task Force.

District Attorney Stewart Bell recalled that during a three-day period in March, four people were killed and one injured in two domestic violence incidents.

He said the goal of the task force is to raise awareness of "a very real, very meaningful, very serious epidemic."

"The blood of women and children is flowing in record numbers," added Las Vegas City Attorney Brad Jerbic. "The result of domestic violence is death, suicide ... and higher juvenile crime."

Las Vegas Municipal Judge Valorie Vega displayed one of the anti-domestic violence posters that Girl Scouts will be distributing throughout Las Vegas.

The posters carry tear-off lists of organizations that assist battered women and other victims of domestic violence. They will be placed in locations where domestic violence victims likely will be away from their batterers.

"Domestic violence knows no race, social status or financial status," she told the small gathering Thursday.

The Domestic Violence Task Force was founded in 1990 to combat the growing problem in Clark County.

Family Court judge and task force president Terry Marren praised the successes over the last few years but lamented that there still are only 50 beds available to battered individuals.

The task force, he said, is establishing a memorial plaque that will carry the names of domestic violence victims. The plaque will be updated annually.

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