Staten Island DA, Other Officials Announce Plan To Fight Stalking
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- City officials were hoping Friday that a coordinated anti-stalking effort could save lives.
The Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence announced the plan on Friday, along with the NYPD and Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan.
The goals include prevention, educating police and prosecutors, and linking victims with vital services.
Prosecutors will examine cases for evidence of stalking behavior and add charges when appropriate.
Officials say over half of all female homicide victims nationwide had reported stalkers to police.
Staten Island alone has seen a 37 percent increase in domestic violence arrests from 2010 to 2013. This year, it's had a 16 percent rise through April.
The program is called CAPS -- ``Coordinated Approach to Preventing Stalking.'' Officials say it will build on the success of the Staten Island Domestic Violence Response Team.
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