MPD sees increase in domestic disturbance calls since stay-at-home order

COVID-19 has changed a lot of things and the types of crime law enforcement are responding to is no exception.
The Morgantown Police Department has seen more mental health calls and domestic disturbance calls since Gov. Jim Justice issued his stay-at-home order, Chief Ed Preston said.
Domestic calls are divided into two categories — domestic violence, which involve physical violence, and domestic disturbances, which are arguments, Preston said. Right now, the department has seen an increase in disturbances but over time those calls typically turn into violence.
“Right now it’s only slightly higher,” he said.
However, areas more strongly impacted by COVID-19 have seen much higher increases with some cities seeing a 20% spike in violent domestic calls, Preston said.
“When families are confined to their homes, it becomes more apparent that home is not a safe place for everyone,” WVU professor of sociology Henry Brownstein said. “Women and children who are routinely abused and assaulted in their own homes are left alone with their abuser.”
The MPD is still working with the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center to offer victims of domestic violence resources, Preston said.
“One of the things that really concerns us is depression,” Preston said.
The department had a number of calls for suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts and one suicide, he said.
People unable to see their therapists is a contributing factor to that, Preston said. The sudden loss of support networks such as friends also doesn’t help.
“So, reach out to your friends, reach out to your family members,” Preston said. “Make sure they know that you are there for them. Make sure folks know that they’re wanted.”
If you’re concerned about someone, the MPD does welfare checks, he said.
The MPD is also experiencing another national trend, which is the decline of others types of crimes. Preston said the MPD has seen a decrease in overall call volume since the stay-at-home order and calls such as public intoxication and disorderly conduct are “way down.”
Another crime that’s seeing a surge is fraud, Brownstein said.
On Thursday, the MPD warned of fraudsters and scammers attempting to take advantage of COVID-19 for their own gain.
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