Information provide by Project Crossroads shows policed responded to a total of 1,630 domestic violence calls in 2016— more than any of the previous six years.

Project Crossroads is a domestic violence collaboration between the Jamestown Police Department and Family Services of the Chautauqua Region.

The data shows domestic violence calls in 2016 were up by 8.5 percent compared to 2015, and up by nearly 30 percent since 2013.

Officials said the spike in calls is largely due to better reporting, mostly by victims and even a growing number of children. But they also say that domestic violence doesn’t appear to be slowing down in the city.

City policy say they were called to 38 Barrow St. just before 12:30 a.m. Friday to respond to a domestic incident. On arrival police learned that 41 year old James Houser tried to forcibly steal money from a female victim. Houser left the scene before police arrived, but were able to track him down with the help of K-9 Mitchell – who found Houser behind Connell’s Bar, at the intersection of Winsor and Allen Streets.

Houser was charged with 3^rd degree attempted robbery, criminal mischief, and forcible touching. He was sent to the city jail to await arraignment later today.

Congressman Tom Reed (Center) with representatives from the Salvation Army and its Anew Center, which provides help to victims of Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence in the Jamestown Community. Reed visited with the Salvation Army and its Anew Center workers during a visit on Friday, June 3, 2016.

JAMESTOWN – Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23)was in Jamestown Friday to meet with representatives from the Salvation Army Anew Center at the Salvation Army of Jamestown.

Reed, who represents Jamestown as part of the state’s 23^rd congressional district, said he was there to learn more about the Anew Center’s services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, Adding that he plans to use what he learned to help identify ways to increase support for services aimed at helping the victims.

“We want to hear from the front line, from these individuals, what we can be doing as policy makers to provide those services that are in so much demand here,” Reed said. “We wish it wasn’t in so much demand but clearly there is a demand and need and we want to have that priority conversation and make sure we’re doing our best to see it gets the attention that it deserves.”

During his visit Reed toured with Anew Center, which provides short-term housing and care for victims of sexual assault or domestic violence. He also talked with Anew Center staff so he could get specific details on what could be done to improve services.

According to Anew Center officials, the current shelter – which is located at a confidential location in Jamestown to protect victims and give them privacy – has 13 beds, a bathroom and shower, a kitchen and common room for victims. They say that on average, the shelter assists an estimated 200 people each year. They hope to either upgrade the current shelter or relocate to one that provides better access to handicapped individuals.

“It’s very important to have this talk – to be able to visit and have a dialogue with Congressman Reed and to let him know exactly what we’re going through here,” said Captain John Merchant, who oversees all operations and services at the Jamestown Salvation Army.

Reed said the issue of sexual assault is a personal one for him and his family. In March 2014 he made a speech on the House floor to talk about the importance of addressing the issue, noting that his niece was the victim of a sexual assault.

The Anew Center has a 24-hour hotline, which receives more than 4,000 calls a year. The number is 1-800-252-8748 or 661-3897.

City police say 47 year-old David Williams Sr. is accused of allegedly going to his girlfriend’s apartment at Terrace Pl. Saturday morning and getting into an argument with her, which escalated into him allegedly hitting and choking her. Williams is also accused of breaking her cell phone.

The victim had to wait until Williams fell asleep before running to a friend’s house to call the police.

Williams was charged with 2^nd degree unlawful imprisonment, 2nd degree harassment, criminal obstruction of breathing and 4^th degree criminal mischief.

Meanwhile, another Jamestown man was also charged with assault and harassment following a domestic incident early Saturday morning.

City police say 50 year-old Gregory Harp went to a home at 207 Spring St. around 2 a.m. Saturday morning and got into an argument with the resident there. The argument escalated into a fight, and Harp allegedly pushed and punched the victim, refusing to let them leave.

The victim was able to eventually escape and called the police. Harp was charged with 2^nd degree harassment and unlawful imprisonment, 3^rd degree assault, and aggravated Family offense.

Senator Catherine Young (R-Olean)

ALBANY – According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey, only about 48 percent of all violent victimizations are reported to police.

On Wednesday, the state Senate passed legislation authored by Senator Cathy Young (R,C,I- Olean) that will provide stronger protections for victims of domestic violence in order to encourage them to report their abuse to the authorities.

The legislation passed by the Senate will add domestic violence victims to the list of “vulnerable persons” who are allowed to testify in a criminal proceeding via closed-circuit television. Current law only allows children deemed “vulnerable” by a judge to testify via closed-circuit television.

According to Seantor Young, every nine seconds a woman in the United States is assaulted or beaten and according to studies 84 percent of women visiting hospital emergency rooms for domestic violence were injured by their intimate partners.

She said that Allowing a woman who has been victimized to be designated as a ‘vulnerable witness,’ thus providing for her testimony to be given via closed-circuit television, will encourage these women to come forward and confront their abuser.

City police say 26 year-old Steven Edmond is accused of holding an unidentified victim to the ground and hitting her. The incident took place near the intersection at about 5:25 p.m. Saturday. Witnesses witnessed the assault and pulled Edmond off the victim until police could arrive.

Police say the victim had an order of protection against Edmond. He faces numerous charges, including criminal contempt, unlawful imprisonment, harassment and criminal obstruction of breathing.

He was taken into custody and transported to the city jail.

On Thursday Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a series of bills that strengthen existing laws and add new measures for crimes related to harassment, stalking and indecent exposure.

According to the governor’s office, the new measure regarding Aggravated Harassment addresses a hole in the penal law and will make it easier for prosecutors to go over domestic violence offenders charged with 2^nd degree aggravated harassment.

Another bill signed by the Governor addresses the use of GPS devices and stalking, which are also significant issues in the area of domestic violence. The bill expands the crime of stalking to include the unauthorized use of a GPS or other electronic device to track another individual. This legislation is also known as “Jackie’s Law,” in memory of Jackie Wisniewski of West Seneca, who was killed after being stalked by a former boyfriend utilizing a GPS tracking device on her car.

A third measure signed into law establishes Public Lewdness in the First Degree, a class A misdemeanor. This new misdemeanor applies to individuals aged 19 or older who intentionally expose themselves to children under the age of 16, and is punishable by up to one year in jail.

Congressman Tom Reed on the floor of the House of Representatives, addressing the issue of Sexual Assault.

WASHINGTON – Chautauqua County’s representative in Congress is offering his support in raising awareness in the fight against Sexual Assault. This week is national NO MORE Week, organized by the NO MORE Campaign, created to fight sexual assault and domestic violence.

On Friday, Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) gave an emotional speech on the House floor about the campaign and at one point, he made the issue personal by saying his own niece was recently the victim of a sexual assault.

“We’ve been working with the NO MORE Campaign and other advocacy groups out there and I thought it was timely given that March 17 was the kickoff date to go the floor, share our story with the country,” Reed explained. “But most importantly, to try and be an additional voice to make sure that people are aware of sexual assault is doing to people in America and what domestic violence does to people in America.”

Reed said that he hopes the his role and personal involvement in the campaign will help to bring the conversation about sexual assault more out into the open. He said that people should not be afraid to talk about sexual assault and the country needs to change the culture and empower women and men to know how to respond in sexual assault situations and also how to raise awareness.

Senate bill 754 states that the court may use findings of fact to determine that closed-circuit television will decrease the chance of harm to the victim. Several factors considered are whether there have been threats against the witness or the witness’ family, if the witness suffered serious physical injury as a result of the crime, if the crime committed was particularly heinous, or that it is likely the witness will suffer serious mental or emotional harm if not permitted to testify using closed-circuit technology.

The bill is now in the Assembly.