ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. — These are new times indeed, we all have to adjust and that's true for police as well. Now that people are home more, police in Anne Arundel County worry about family violence or abuse.
They're not sure if people are not reporting out of fear or if cases really are holding steady.
In Anne Arundel County, like much of the state, general crime is flat or even down some but Anne Arundel County is concerned about family violence. People are home more and that might be on the rise.
If police want to combat crime they get proactive, DUI check points, undercover officers to catch drug dealers but, what can you do about crimes that happen inside the home? Domestic violence and child abuse crimes usually happen behind close doors. Since school is out for now, children may not have easy access to other adults.
"If they are quarantined with their abuser, that don’t have an out or another trusted adult that they can confide in like a teacher, like a coach, like their SRO," one official said.
Just because kids aren’t around the resources now, that does not mean those resources have gone away.
"You can go out to the “store” for essential business, give us a call from there a we will meet you there," one official said. "We are more than happy to meet you where you feel safe to make this report to us."
All they want you to know, is you may be quarantined but you are not alone.
"We are still here for you and there are plenty of resources available should you need that," they said.
