Domestic Dispute Calls Climb—

Serious Assault Arrests Rise

By Andrew Gorosko

Local crime statistics for 2004 indicate a sharp increase in the number of arrests for “aggravated assault,” with many of those charges stemming from incidents of domestic violence.

During 2004, police made ten arrests for aggravated assault, compared to three arrests in that category during 2003, said Police Chief Michael Kehoe. By comparison, there were five such arrests in 2002, three arrests in 2001, six arrests in 2000, and seven arrests in 1999.

Aggravated assault is a general term used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to describe a serious assault.

Under Connecticut law, “aggravated assault” would represent a second degree assault or a more serious first degree assault, Chief Kehoe said.

In Connecticut, a simple assault is known as third degree assault, in which one person typically hits another person. In a second degree assault, the assailant uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument in the attack. In a first degree assault, the assailant uses methods that put another person’s life at risk.

Chief Kehoe attributed much of the increase in aggravated assaults in 2004 to domestic disputes.

Police have received an increasing number of calls alerting them to domestic disputes, he said. Police typically send two officers on such calls so that they are not outnumbered at the incident.

The public has become more aware of domestic disputes and the risks that they pose, so police have received more calls alerting them of the problem, the police chief said.

Based on police records, town police have arrested 63 people on various criminal charges stemming from domestic disputes since February 27, 2004.

Such charges most typically are third degree assault, breach of peace, and disorderly conduct. Charges sometimes include criminal mischief or vandalism, violation of a protective order, trespassing, reckless endangerment, drug possession, and drunken driving.

Police have elaborate policies on how they handle domestic disputes, receiving much training on dealing with violent familial problems, Chief Kehoe said. After a person is charged in a domestic dispute, a court appearance is mandatory on the next day that court convenes.

Most typically, domestic disputes involve a husband and wife in an argument, the police chief said.

Police respond to domestic disputes occurring among all age groups and all strata of society, he said.

In other crime categories, police received reports of two rapes during 2004, the same number that was reported in 2003. By comparison, one rape was reported in 2002, four in 2001, none in 2000, and three in 1999.

Two robberies were reported in 2004, the same number as was reported in 2003. According to the statistics, there was one robbery in 2002, four in 2001, three in 2000, and one in 1999.

In 2004, burglaries dropped more than nine percent, compared to 2003. In 2004, 48 burglaries were reported, compared to 53 burglaries in 2003. In comparison, 60 burglaries were reported in 2002, 58 in 2001, 66 in 2000, and 43 in 1999.

The crime of larceny dropped considerably during 2004. In 2004, 193 larcenies were reported, compared to 237 larcenies in 2003, reflecting a more than 18 percent drop in that crime. In 2002, 194 larcenies were reported. In 2001, there were 141 larcenies, compared to 154 cases in 2000, and 146 incidents in 1999.

The level of motor vehicle theft was stable at nine cases in 2004, the same number as in 2003. In 2002, there were 11 cases. There were 13 cases each in 2001 and in 2000. In 1999, there were 18 motor vehicle thefts reported.

Police report four arsons in 2004, the same number as in 2003. By comparison, there were two arsons in 2002, and one arson in each of the preceding three years.

The last reported murder in Newtown occurred in 1999.

Police report making 58 arrests in 2004 for drunken driving, compared to 77 in 2003, 81 in 2002, 77 in 2001, 67 in 2000, and 68 in 1999.

Police issued 1,944 motor vehicle summonses/infractions during 2004, compared to 1,959 the preceding year. In 2002, police handed out 2,129 summonses/infractions.

During 2004, police issued 1,316 motor vehicle written warnings, compared to 1,727 such warnings in 2003.

Police received 14,519 calls for service in 2004, translating into about 40 calls daily. That number is slightly down compared to 2003, when there were 14,625 such calls. In comparison, there were 12,946 calls for service in 1999.

The police department has a crime prevention unit that advises the public on steps to be taken to prevent crime from occurring. The unit also sets up Neighborhood Crime Watch programs.