04-10-1995 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF ORONO PLANNING COM^IISSION \VORK SESSION ON DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTERS HELD ON JANUARY 6, 1995 shelter He indicated that motels were typically used on a 1-3 day basis, and shelters would likely be used for a longer term or when there was a question of safety for the victim, which was always of concern to the officer. He reiterated that quite often the abuser is arrested on a tvoical fifth decree assault and is jailed for up to 36 hours. Judge Davidson indicated that all custodies are reviewed on a daily basis and the Coun will decide whether an abuser is released or not. Rowlene noted that information provided by the applicants regarding Sojourner iridicated they turned awav victims on a daily basis due to lack of space, but that the information she is hearing today suegests somethin" else. Lt. Cheswick replied that in Orono s e.xperrence, the police have alwavs been able to find a spot in a shelter for a victim who needs it. although he would not dispute that on a given day a given shelter might very well be full to capacity. Peterson questioned whether Orono's response was to hand the victim a card and do nothing more for the victim. Lt. Cheswick replied that that was not the case. Sctooeder suggested that it is more likelv that ihe perceived low numbers of abuse in Orono ^ a function of jwpulation numbers as compared to the popufation of the much larger cities of Plymouth arid Minrietonka where the two nearest shelters are located. It was suggested that while the incidence of abuse on a per capita basis may be as high in Orono as it is in other places, *e numbers requmng the use of a shelter are relatively low compared to the numbers of people from the city of Plj mo requiring shelter in any given year. Judge Davidson suggested that Sojourner and Mission Home be contacted and asked if track of where their calls are coming from and if so, provide that mforiMtion for us. Commission directed staff to do so. Peterson noted that he volunteers m a homeless shelter m Minneapolis and they mro away people every night. Webber i^icated that m their shelters she was advised that there is more demand for space than they can handle. Webber also indicated she would provide information regarding numbers accepted and turned away from area shelters. Schroeder suegested it may be appropriate also to ask area have or any referrals they have made regarding domestic abuse. Judge that her information is that churches often tell the woman she is subservient to her husband a L Should go home and take cate of her family, rather than offering shelter did not expect much information would be supplied by churches. She sugptrf * Department of Human Services. Candy Rowlene sugg^ted conmctmg torfat* C^t^ Greg Sichender suggested contacting Pyramid, a mental health dime m Mmnetonka Pte^ Commission also requested that they be provided with copies of the cards provided by Department. Discussion continued regarding the need for shelter in Orono. Mabusth officers she interviewed consistently commented that Orono residents have their own r