EAST HARLEM — One in every eight crimes in the 25th Precinct were connected to domestic violence in 2015, a rate that's slightly higher than the citywide average.
Across the five boroughs one in 10 crimes are linked to domestic violence resulting in 49 deaths across the city in 2015, according to the NYPD.
“Domestic violence has been a huge issue since I got here,” said Deputy Inspector Thomas Harnisch of the 25th Precinct.
When he arrived to the precinct in the Fall of 2013, there were only two domestic violence officers and both were men. Today, there are four specially trained officers and one is a female, he said.
Part of the reason the 2015 precinct numbers eclipsed the city average may be connected to more victims feeling comfortable reporting the crime to the police, Harnisch said.
In addition to the extra officers, there is a domestic violence specialist in the precinct seven days a week. Last year they nearly doubled the number of home visits to victims from 530 to 960, according to the precinct commander said.
“We try to establish a relationship with the victims,” he said. “A lot of domestic violence occurs because there are problems in their relationship.”
By keeping in touch with victims — and monitoring repeat offenders — officers can act before a situation escalates to deadly violence by charging an offender with less serious charges like theft, harassment or misdemeanor assault.
Other factors behind the high percentage may be the high poverty and unemployment rates in the neighborhood, factors that add stress to relationships, Harnisch added.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence call the city's hotline at 1-800-621-4673.
