PORT JERVIS, NY — Port Jervis had a presentation of a new initiative, the Orange County Safe Homes/Enhanced Domestic Violence Response Program at Common Council’s meeting April 24. Police chief Will Worden introduced the collaborative program and two guest speakers who explained it in detail.

While domestic violence happens everywhere, locally in 2016 Port Jervis Police investigated over 400 incidents, and almost half led to some kind of charge, Worden reported. There are many people who are killed by their partners, and very often, there are warning signs. “These are new initiatives,” Worden explained. “It’s a collaborative effort with the DA’s office, and the police department will work closely with complementary programs both to secure the safety of women and children and to bring those responsible to justice.”

Often what constitutes domestic violence is unclear, but the presenters Pam O’Leary, the director of the collaborative program and Jaqui Kulaga, who is the project coordinator for Orange County Commission Against Intimate Partner Violence, wanted to make sure survivors know, “You’re not alone and resources are available now for women and children to be safe.”

The new Safe Homes program was started by Dr. Jackie Campbell, a nationally known figure, and now has 30 years of history.

“We’re closing the gap,” the presenters said, adding research shows that in the incidents, including those leading to homicide, only 4% of the victims were connected to services providing help, and of those 50% had previous contact with law enforcement.

Campbell has developed a screening tool that can be used with individuals at the site of a domestic incident, to evaluate if the individual is at risk for possible homicide.

The message was, “Domestic violence is preventable.” There’s a 24-hour hotline and help available including financial support, a fact many victims are not aware of. Port Jervis residents can dial 845/562-5340, and if necessary they can be put in touch with an advocate who has an office in Port Jervis.

A woman in the audience asked what can be done if the person doesn’t want to press charges.

Worden replied under state law, if a crime did occur, it will be investigated regardless of the victim’s wishes, if there’s reason to believe a domestic partner committed an assault. “These are difficult questions, and we’re training officers to handle them,” he acknowledged.

New legislation also allows building a case based on evidence only, as often the victims are afraid to bring charges, and survivors are unaware of their options including family courts.

In other business, Bob Lefferts gave a presentation about the Little League program, which started in 1963. Lefferts said the league has been giving out many scholarships, and inquired about the long-planned recreation center and about the $1,000 given by the league to the city toward it.

Mayor Kelly Decker explained that the funding was on hold in a side account, and that there has been a change in plans. Instead of building a new center, the Farnum House will be remodeled because it will no longer be used by the senior dining program the county is taking over.

He said, “We’re remodeling it as a recreation center and possibly an indoor gym, and then the current center can move from Pike Street, where they have no yard.”

Regarding the proposed annexation of about 205 acres from the Town of Deerpark into Port Jervis, Decker said there will be a public information meeting on May 15 in the Town of Deerpark Senior Center at 7 p.m. There will be a display map, information about each piece of property, impacts, and why they were chosen, but no decision or voting will take place on the night.

“This has been a six-month process,” Decker said.

He explained in a post on Facebook that it’s a “mutually proposed annexation of 11 parcels (now accurate with all section, block and lot numbers).”

Officials plan to create a commercial/industrial area on the parcels to bring jobs and an influx of revenue into Port Jervis.

Decker also wrote on Facebook that Port Jervis has reached an agreement with both BOCES and SUNY Orange to open an educational center in the city. He said, “The new joint venture will hold SUNY Orange core classes as well as training for jobs in security, hotel management and other employment opportunities for new and emerging businesses in the area, including the new casino in Monticello. Construction will begin within the next two weeks as a contractor was just selected.”