9 'High Danger' Domestic Abuse Cases In Tredyffrin, Easttown

Chester County's Lethality Assessment Program aims to prevent incidents of extreme and fatal domestic violence by conducting specialized interviews and screenings with people involved domestic abuse cases. And in 2017 several cases in Tredyffrin and Easttown townships required Lethality Assessment Program interviews, nine total being rated highly dangerous, according to county data.

The county released the number of domestic violence LAP screening interviews done from July 2017 to June 2018, and Tredyffrin eight cases and Easttown had six.

In Easttown, four of the cases resulted in a "high danger" classification, while two were ruled "non-high danger" classifications.

Tredyffrin had five "high danger" ratings and three "non-high danger" cases, as well.

Local and county law enforcement use the LAP techniques in follow ups to domestic abuse calls to determine the likelihood of an even more violent incident occurring between the parties involved, the county said.

When authorities find "high risk" or "high danger" cases, the victims are referred to the Domestic Victims Center of Chester County which then advises them about protection from abuse orders and other steps victims can take to ensure safety.

Authorities work to determine the accessibility of weapons, any history of violence, and what level of abuse occurred when police were called to specific cases during LAP interviews and screenings.

"The bottom line is the LAP saves lives," Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said. "Every domestic violence murder haunts the surviving family members, the community, and all of Chester County. We are proud that Chester County law enforcement leads the way in protecting victims of domestic violence and preventing these incidents from happening. That is smart policing."

The county has been using the LAP for five years and more police departments in the county are beginning to use it.

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