Domestic violence cases drop in Madison

By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
Since 2000, the number of reported domestic violence cases in the city of Madison has decreased.
Madison Investigator Mike Shaneyfelt says the reason is due to 100 percent devotion in putting an end to domestic violence all together, but even more importantly, putting an end to repetitive domestic violence cases.
Gov. Don Siegelman has awarded the city of Madison $36,000 that will be used in the efforts now under way in Madison to end domestic violence. Shaneyfelt said this is the fifth year in a row that Madison has applied and been awarded the funds. The city of Madison will match the grant in the amount of $9,000.
Madison's domestic violence unit consists of Shaneyfelt, along with an assistant, contact with Madison's prosecutor and the domestic violence project team that includes the Madison County Sheriff's Department, the Madison County District Attorney's office, the city of Huntsville Domestic Violence Unit, Crisis Services and Family Services.
In 1998, the number of domestic violence cases reported in Madison was 375. With the city's population growth, that number grew to more than 800 in 2000. Shaneyfelt said that number has decreased during the past two years.
"By devoting 100 percent of our time to domestic violence, we've seen a decrease in the number of cases reported, including repetitive cases," Shaneyfelt said. "We focus on the problem and we figure out a way to deal with the problem. Training and education is very important in what we do. This money will go toward that continued effort."
The grant was awarded from funds made available to the state through a program of the U.S. Department of Justice.