15-02-2025
Senator Roger Marshall visits Parsons Domestic Violence Unit
PARSONS, Kan. — U.S. Senator Roger Marshall visits Parsons today to view a first-of-its-kind program in the city's police department.
Marshall got to get an inside view of the newly formed domestic violence unit.
It's aimed at cracking down on domestic violence in the city and surrounding community.
KBI stats show the city as number one in the state per capita for domestic violence.
The unit helps connect victims to resources to overcome obstacles like finding housing—and sets them up with victim advocate Cyprus Jones.
Senator Marshall got a chance to see how the whole process works—even looking at the Silent Witness Display of cut-out silhouettes that draw awareness to the issue in Parsons.
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'If there's a challenge going on in a community, I love to see communities that are trying to solve them. So, domestic violence—an issue for everybody—so it was great to see. This is the only grant like this that I know of in the state specifically designed toward domestic violence,' said Marshall.
'I think this will be an excellent program. It's in its infancy right now. We're learning as we go every day, which is nothing new with law enforcement. So, I think it's really important that the word get out that we're here, we're available, we're ready to help. Even if they don't reside within Labette County and they want to reach out, Cyprus has the means to get them where they need to go,' said Lt. Det. Sherri McGuire, Parsons Police Department.
A two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice is paying for the domestic violence unit.
But Lieutenant Detective Sherri McGuire tells us a half-cent sales tax question is in the works, and it could fund the unit for 10 years—if voters approve.
No word on what ballot that might be on.
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