Records reveal domestic violence arrests across the gamut in two Arizona communities

Part 2 of series examines Apache Junction and Scottsdale data

Arizona State Law Speaks to Victim Advocacy

“The good news is Arizona is a pro-victim state unlike some others, and we strive to make sure domestic violence defendants are not rewarded for their aggressive crimes against their victims,””

--- Joel Stern

Independent Examination

Police department domestic violence arrest data illustrate persistent social ill

By Terrance Thornton
Twitter: @ININEWSMAN

Public records reveal hundreds of domestic violence arrests in two batches of arrest data provided to Independent Newsmedia from the Apache Junction and Scottsdale police departments.

Data shows drastically similar domestic violence arrest totals between the two local municipalities despite swings in population.

In all, Independent Newsmedia made public records requests across the Valley of the Sun seeking to reveal two data points:

• The last five years of domestic violence arrests within municipal bounds; and
• The last five years of domestic violence convictions at the municipal court.

This story focuses on questions answered by a city attorney, police officer and brief comparisons are drawn. Apache Junction City Attorney Joel Stern pulls no punches when it comes to the current political climate when protecting and serving the community.

“We are law enforcement, so nothing really surprises us anymore, especially with the defunding police efforts of some questionable and lawless groups in America and the general anti-law enforcement environment,” he said of certain anti-police efforts.

“Domestic violence is an epidemic that is extremely unfortunate, but is addressed by our staff as much as the law allows.”

However, Stern offers a positive impact made at the legislative level for those afflicted by a domestic violence situation.

“The good news is Arizona is a pro-victim state unlike some others, and we strive to make sure domestic violence defendants are not rewarded for their aggressive crimes against their victims,” he said.

Numbers show relatively consistent domestic violence arrests within municipal bounds of Apache Junction, a part of Pinal County. The city has a population of 42,571 year-round residents. Officials today believe the winter visitor population each year boosts that number closer to 80,000 during winter months.

The Apache Junction Police Department was able to provide the last three years worth of data, which in round numbers, are:

• In calendar year 2019 there were 239 arrests for domestic violence.
• In calendar year 2020 there were 194 arrests for domestic violence.
• In calendar year 2021 --- through September 2021 --- there have been 99 arrests for domestic violence.

The No. 1 conclusion a collection of domestic violence data shows is there is no one part of town that sees more or less of it over time.

“As with many things, certain crimes are more common in certain neighborhoods due to socio-economic levels,” Stern explains of the data provided and courtroom experience. “However, this is not always the case and domestic violence can really happen in any neighborhood in the city.”

The factors a part of domestic disturbance situations run the gamut, Stern explains.

“It is all over the board, but socio-economic levels can be common factors as noted above, but others enter the equation ------ sometimes it is the time of year (right after or during holidays) or day of the week (more common on Fridays and Saturdays), on birthdays, right after money runs out from a paycheck, right around the time rent or a mortgage payment is due, and also whether children are involved, any ongoing custody battles or matrimony disputes,” he explained.

The list goes on, he said.

“It can also involve parental issues and mental disabilities or challenges and disputes over pets and common property (vehicles, general household goods such as chairs, sofas, plates, and personal devices --- cell phones and laptops) as well as sent and received emails, texts and tweets and Facebook and other social media posts,” he said.

Apache Junction City Attorney Joel Stern in between images of police

cruisers in both his community and the city of Scottsdale.

Several definitions for one law

Domestic violence itself is a legal definition under Arizona Revised Statutes 13-705 and certain subsections, a cursory definition applies, but in practice, Scottsdale police officials say, infractions don’t tell the whole story.

“‘Domestic Violence’ could infer violence has occurred. However, there are several crimes that fall under the ‘Domestic Violence’ definition that are not necessarily violence (Criminal Damage, Trespass, Disorderly Conduct, Custodial Interference and others),” said Scottsdale Police PIO Aaron Bolin. “Each situation is unique. Officers investigate and determine if a crime has been committed, if it has, the victim is offered assistance from our Police Crisis Intervention Service.”

The Scottsdale Police Department offered similar arrest data in terms, but with a few more years of digital archives. The Records Department provided:

• In calendar year 2017 there were 218 arrests for domestic violence.
• In calendar year 2018 there were 224 arrests for domestic violence.
• In calendar year 2019 there were 207 arrests for domestic violence.
• In calendar year 2020 there were 220 arrests for domestic violence.
• In calendar year 2021 --- through October 2021 --- there have been 181 arrests for domestic violence.

According to 2019 population estimates, the city of Scottsdale has a population of 250,602 residents.

Arrest data, due to the nature of the unique nature of all unlawful behavior, is difficult to draw any real conclusions in terms of the root cause, Bolin says.

“Domestic Violence trends can occur for many different reasons. We can not speculate on why the numbers vary from year to year,” he said. “Unfortunately, Domestic Violence occurs to different people in different neighborhoods across the city. They all involve people who meet the legal definition of the domestic violence relationships as defined by Arizona law.”