01-23-1995 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION ON DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTERS HELD ON JANUARY 6, 1995 It was noted that the Mound and Minnetrista Police may have had a policy of using Westonka even prior to the 1990 procedure mandate. Discussion ensued as to whether Orono ’s policies and procedures are similar to those of Mound and Minnetrista, or whether procedures are being followed. Mabusth noted that the law does not specifically require the use of an mtermediary. She indicated that the law required immediate action and required that a policy be in place, but does not require the use of a specific organization. Judoe Davidson indicated she had brought along some materials which she would leave related to domestic abuse laws. She indicated the law defines what police departments are supposed to do but not what happens if thev don ’t follow their adopted procedures. Peterson asked how are police departments held accountable for enforcing their own policies. Judge Davidson mdicated that in any bureaucracy it takes time to deal with issues and the Department of Corrections might not take any action unless there were complaints. It was concluded that discussion on how the Orono Police Department is dealing with domestic abuse policy would be suspended until the Police Department representative was available to comment. Continuina in the outline. Mabusth provided a list of the 20 shelters located throughout the state, mostly near larger populated areas. Planning Commission requested that this information be copied and provided to them. Peterson questioned what the capacity of shelters should for Minnesota ’s 4 million-plus population as compared to the existing capacity. Webber indicated that in most areas demand greatly exceeded capacity. Judge Davidson indicated that Hennepin County handles more than 10,000 hearings for protection in any given year, with a capacity of just 100 beds in the Cit^' of Minneapolis. Judge Davidson also noted that Orders for Protection often result in placement of conditions on the abuser rather than the victim, such as requirmg the abuser to have no contact or stay away from me victim. The shelters do provide a safe place for victims when such orders are not complied with Victims are at the highest risk tetween the time of abuse and the time a Protection Order is gr "..td, that is the time during which victuns are at greatest risk in need of safe housing. Many people find shelter with family members or through their own resources, but those that do not have those resources available need a place to go on a generally short-term basis. Schroeder questioned whether it would be possible to determine the number of people who don ’t have the resources or other means of shelter and would make use of Westonka’s proposed shelter. Judge Davidson replied that it is virtually impossible to come up with those numbers, and that because no shelter exists, many victims will remain in the abusive situation because they don ’t have another housing option. Gre<» Sichender indicated that with other shelters having to turn away 50% of their calls, it is likely that there are numbers of victims not finding shelter. Webber agreed, suggesting that it is likely that the majority of victims don ’t find shelter and remain in abusive situations. She referred to a recent news article regarding several women who had become murder victims as