Holiday Stress Linked To Rise In Domestic Violence Cases

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The Missoula County Attorney’s Office filed 17 new felony complaints this week, which is three fewer than last week and right around the weekly average. According to County Attorney Matt Jennings, five of those were violent crimes. 

“We had four endangerment crimes,” Jennings said. “Those are usually driving behaviors. Someone drove head-on into traffic on Hwy. 200 this week. We had a couple of traffic accidents related to DUIs. We had three property crimes and five drug crimes. They were all methamphetamine related this week.” 

Jennings said there were two instances of family violence this week, which is common this time of year. 

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“It is sad and disappointing, but there's usually a lot of alcohol involved in some of these family gatherings,” Jennings said. “There's some stress related to money, family issues, and expectations. The days are shorter, and folks are often stuck inside more than they might be in the summer. We get a real upsurge in violence at a time that should be joy-filled and enjoying our families.” 

Jenning also mentioned that they are always looking for new partners in criminal justice and initiatives that can help achieve better outcomes for individuals in trouble or prevent future crimes. 

“I went to a wonderful open house for a new organization here in Missoula called the Center for Restorative Youth Justice,” Jennings said. “I am just learning about them, but they've been operating out of Flathead County for quite a while. They opened a new unit here in Missoula. They work with teens who are starting to go down the wrong path and help them find some more resources to improve their own self-worth. They try to figure out why they're making some decisions like that and really work on restorative justice so they can get back on the right path and be productive adults in the future.” 

Jennings said he looks forward to learning more about them. 

“Those are things that we love to see here,” Jennings said. “I am absolutely convinced that we can usually identify when people are on the wrong path, and if we do more stuff to intervene earlier, then they don't reach my felony caseload later.” 

The Missoula County Attorney’s Office provides a weekly crime report every Friday morning at 9:00 on Talk Back.