Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
AMERICAN FORK — A new program in American Fork is getting residents to open up about domestic violence.
The American Fork Police Department held its second Community Partners in Policing event, aimed at improving communication between police and residents.
“We want to get the knowledge out there and educate the public on the resources that are available,” American Fork Police Sgt. Josh Christensen said. “We want them to understand what we can do to help them."
The event’s topic is in response to two recent domestic violence shootings in the community.
On Christmas Eve, police said Michael Lowe shot his estranged wife while she was at work at a convenience store. Earlier in December, a woman was gunned down by her ex-boyfriend in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
Victim advocates said, in many of these cases, people decide not to report abuse until it's too late.
“They are confused and don't know where to turn,” victim advocate Dawna Whiting said. “Obviously they are in a lot of crisis. They are confused and are not sure where to turn."
The police department hopes to change that with this new program. During its presentation, it reported that between October and December 2016 police responded to 93 domestic violence incidents, charges were filed in 23 of those cases and the department’s victim assistance program served 58 domestic violence victims.
The statistics alarmed many in attendance.
"What goes on behind closed doors is sometimes a different story, and we just don't know," resident Laura Wigington said.
The next presentation will be held March 8 at 7 p.m. at the Cedar Hills Community Center.
Contributing: Xoel Cardenas
