Grant Will Pay Salaries For Jobs Devoted To Ending Violence Meth Use, Violence Are Linked

Kootenai County has been awarded $80,000 in grant money to help combat rising domestic violence cases, which have been increasing along with drug-related crimes.

The money helps pay the salaries of a new victims’ advocate at the county prosecutor’s office and a probation officer devoted solely to domestic violence cases.

“Basically the grant will allow us to enhance our services to victims and survivors of family violence,” said Prosecutor Bill Douglas.

The increased attention comes at a time when domestic violence cases are rising in Kootenai County, Douglas said.

Over the past few years, he’s seen a 30 percent increase in domestic violence cases. That’s the same increase in drug and methamphetamine cases handled by his office, Douglas said.

“We’re seeing a real correlation,” he said.

Experts say many times those who use meth can become violent.

Laura Bonneville, who has worked as a court advocate for victims of family violence through the Coeur d’Alene Women’s Center, began her job with the prosecutor’s office last week.

Bonneville will work with police and prosecutors tracking domestic violence cases. More specifically, she’ll work with victims, helping them testify in court or making sure they get the medical care they need.

“I’m the voice of the victim oftentimes,” Bonneville said. “Sometimes it’s the trauma that makes them not want to be an active participant in the process.”

The one-year grant from the Idaho Department of Law Enforcement also helps pay for a new probation officer devoted solely to handling domestic violence cases.

Justin Schiflett started last month with Kootenai County’s adult misdemeanor probation department. He’ll help take some of the case load off of the only other probation officer handling misdemeanors.

Bonneville and Schiflett will begin a diversion program, which requires certain low-risk batterers to admit to their crime and then follow probation requirements in exchange for a clean record.

“We don’t want repeat offenders. This is for first-timers,” said Greg Orlando, head of the county’s adult misdemeanor probation office, who will oversee the program.

While the program is in its infant stage, advocates hope to gain enough support to keep it going longer than one year.

Before, criminal justice officials couldn’t devote their time solely to domestic violence. One probation officer had 300 cases. The prosecutor’s victim witness had about 500 cases to handle.

“To really see this thing through we’re going to need community support,” Bonneville said. “This is so exciting, because this is so progressive.”