SAN ANTONIO \u2013 When local law enforcement responds to a domestic violence call, officers are asking 11 questions designed to answer one critical question: How much danger is the victim in?<\/p>\n
The questions are part of the Danger Assessment for Law Enforcement, or DALE, a tool designed to help law enforcement identify domestic violence victims who may be at high risk.<\/p>\n
Police Chief Jesse Salame said the San Antonio Police Department began using the assessment in September 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince then, officers have completed about 31,000 assessments, with roughly 11,000 \u2014 more than one-third \u2014 classified as high risk,\u201d Salame said.<\/p>\n
The Bexar County Sheriff\u2019s Office uses the same tool. Since 2021, deputies have completed more than 10,000 assessments, with about one-quarter flagged as high risk.<\/p>\n
Deputy Chief Nancy Sanford with the BCSO Criminal Investigation Division said the agency takes a zero-tolerance approach to family and domestic violence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is enough probable cause to arrest that suspect at that time, they will be arrested,\u201d Sanford said. \u201cAbout 60% of family violence calls handled by BCSO result in an arrest.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said making an arrest can give victims time away from the alleged abuser and allow the situation to de-escalate.<\/p>\n
But an arrest does not guarantee a conviction.<\/p>\n
What happens when a victim doesn\u2019t want to testify?<\/p>\n
Sanford said investigators can spend significant time building a domestic violence case, including collecting reports, video from devices such as Ring cameras and screenshots from cellphones.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very frustrating because the investigators go to a lot of work to write their reports, get the evidence,\u201d Sanford said.<\/p>\n
One challenge comes when victims decide they do not want to participate in the prosecution.<\/p>\n
That is one reason BCSO is piloting a program involving forensic nurses.<\/p>\n
The nurses can document a victim\u2019s injuries and, in some cases, testify about that evidence in court.<\/p>\n
Sanford said the program could help reduce the burden on victims who are afraid to testify against an alleged abuser.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we tell these victims, OK, we understand. It\u2019s horrible to have to go into court and testify against this person that you\u2019re deathly afraid of, but this nurse can do it for you,\u201d Sanford said.<\/p>\n
Support doesn\u2019t end with an arrest<\/p>\n
Both agencies are doing more to help support the victims beyond the initial police response. <\/p>\n
San Antonio police are working with Metro Health with providing complete wraparound services even if they decide not to pursue charges.<\/p>\n
Erica Heller-Stevenson, Metro Health\u2019s violence prevention administrator, said the legal system can be difficult and slow to navigate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best thing we can do is help people in a very supportive way, in a non-judgmental way on their journey,\u201d Heller-Stevenson said.<\/p>\n
Salame said domestic violence remains a crisis that requires more than law enforcement involvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a crisis and we should all be aware of that and we should all be engaged,\u201d Salame said. \u201cPublic safety is a communitywide effort.\u201d<\/p>\n
The agencies say identifying high-risk situations, gathering evidence and connecting victims with resources are all part of a broader effort to prevent domestic violence from escalating.<\/p>\n
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, there is so much help for you. KSAT has a list of resources<\/a> on its Domestic Violence webpage<\/a>, which also explains how to identify different types of abuse.<\/p>\n Survivors in unincorporated Bexar County who are not in current emergencies can fill out an online form<\/a> to get in touch with STAR specialists.<\/p>\n Anyone in immediate danger should call 911.<\/p>\n For wrap-around services, including the Battered Women and Children\u2019s Shelter, call Family Violence Prevention Services <\/a>at (210) 733-8810.<\/p>\n