CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. — Across the country, thousands of people wanted for domestic violence violations got knocks on their doors Wednesday, and many were taken to jail. It was part of an annual National Family Violence
Apprehension Detail. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office began the effort 16 years ago. This year 300 agencies around the country joined them.
“We're not going to sit back and allow those offenders to be free in society,” Clackamas County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Strand said.
For Strand, the annual sweep is personal. He works regularly with domestic violence victims at A Safe Place Family Justice Center in Clackamas County. He said in many cases, victims aren't ready to report the people who are hurting them, except to a counselor.
“They hear their story and help victims understand how dangerous their situation is, without the immediate requirement to report and follow through with law enforcement,” Strand said. “That can be a really good first step.”
Even with warrants, deputies said catching violators isn't always easy. They change addresses, they run, and often they try to get back with the people they hurt. That was the case deputies discovered in Gladstone, where they made an arrest. The suspect was wanted for domestic violence and violating a no-contact order with the victim, who was living with him.
“It's a very difficult situation for the victim,” Strand said. “It appears she's been assaulted by the suspect in the past, and now she's being re-victimized by the fact that this is her only residence and she may have to leave.”
By 10:00 p.m., deputies had booked 17 suspects on domestic violence warrants. With each one, Strand breathed a sigh of relief for their alleged victims.
“Knowing they’re not in the presence of someone who's assaulted them in the past,” Strand said, “and very easily could have assaulted them today.”