Reference no: EM133370982

You are dispatched to 123 Elm St. apartment 135 for a domestic disturbance and suicide threats. You are familiar with this residence as you and other officers have been responding to calls for service of a similar nature many times in the recent past. Upon arrival, you discover that the female tenant is locked in the bathroom, threatening to commit suicide by ingesting a whole bottle of opioid-based prescription medication. The male tenant is yelling and screaming derogatory statements at the female through the door. You take notice that the bathroom door is damaged as though it has been hit or punched several times. There are also several holes in the wall and damaged furniture indicating a physical altercation took place. The female does not want to come out because she feels her husband will only try to strangle her again. You develop probable cause and arrest the male for domestic assault. The female eventually came out of the bathroom but did not take any pills as she had threatened to do.

During your conversation, she tells you that she and her husband moved to the area six-months ago because her husband had landed a job here. They have no family or friends in the area as they are initially from another state. Her husband lost his job a month ago, but they cannot afford to move back home. Her husband's culture believes that the measure of a man is his ability to support his family. Current circumstances have caused her husband's self-esteem to drop. The arguments began to turn physical about a month prior, and he has choked her on two occasions, one being today. The woman said she has considered suicide a few times recently but has never actually tried it. She feels like a failure because she has reached middle age and has not been able to produce children for her husband, and she has been drinking alcohol more frequently lately. You explain to the female that your department's social worker will be contacted to provide her with any assistance necessary.

As you are wrapping up, the property manager approaches and asks if she can talk to you. She articulates her desire to "clean up" the apartment complex. She says that she is tired of all the criminal activity occurring on the property and would like any help she can get. You take down the property manager's information and tell her you will pass this request on to your boss.

Upon returning to the station, you give the social worker the necessary information about the family in crisis. The social worker asks for your help in completing a risk assessment based on your intimate knowledge of the family situation. You also pass on the property manager's information to your boss. He tells you that that apartment complex has been a significant hotspot for criminal activity for some time. The boss tells you that a team has been assembled to develop solutions to the apartment complex problems and has asked you to join the team.

The apartment complex is overrun with shrubs; there is very poor lighting in the common areas. The playground is only used by teens and adults loitering and likely selling drugs. The complex is all one level with concrete walkways adjoining each of the unit entry doors. Many of the resident complaints are that people hang out right in front of their apartment door drinking, doing drugs, and being loud. There is a grassy area between two buildings where the manager regularly finds hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia. Though not the intention, this area has become a path for people, not just complex residents, to pass through to get to a local retail shopping center.

Examines crisis intervention and social services practices to assess and address intimate partner violence, suicide, and other crises.

Determines the degree of risk present in the above scenario regarding intimate partner violence and suicide.

Analyzes the effectiveness of five principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED): physical security, surveillance, movement control, management and maintenance, and defensible space.

Suggests using principles of CPTED to help reduce the criminal activity in the above scenario.

Evaluates the impact of prevention components of Crime-Free Housing Program: landlord training, tenant applicant screening, and mandatory crime-free lease addendum.

Recommends using components of the Crime-Free Housing Program to help reduce the criminal activity in the above scenario.