DAVID RYAN PALMER
Staff Writer
More communication is needed at the Sulphur City Courthouse, according to Judge Charles Schrumpf.
Schrumpf appeared before the Sulphur City Council Monday night, and referenced a letter sent to City Attorney Skipper Drost and Mayor Ron Leleux about the lack of a provision mandating that those arrested for domestic violence go through a counseling program before any charges could be dismissed.
"The D.A.'s office does that. I've requested that we do the same thing. I think that some of the hardest things that an officer has to do is go on a domestic violence case, it's highly charged emotionally, and each time they have to go back it's going to get worse. I don't like to see the violence escalate," Schrumpf said.
"One of the things that normally happens is that victims ask that their batterer is let go. It's a pretty common thing."
However, Schrumpf said that the City Attorney's office has been slow to move on his proposal or to get in contact with him regarding this and other matters.
"I'm just asking for some more communication and direction from our policy making body, which is you, the City Council," Schrumpf said.
Council member Stuart Moss said that he'd like to have some kind of a sit down meeting between members of the council, attorney Drost and Judge Schrumpf.
"I'm hearing one side of this, from you," Moss said.
"I would like to see that meetings are made with council people, one or two at a time, Skipper Drost, and Judge Schrumpf, about this," Moss said.
In other council news:
A resolution was passed allowing Mayor Leleux to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement for the Southwest Louisiana Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program.
"This is a sad but necessary program that will benefit victims of sexual assault here in Sulphur and in other places," he said.
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 12, 2010, 5:30 p.m., at the Council chambers, 500 N. Huntington Street.
Sulphur, La. —
